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According to a new data just released by the Influenza Specialist Group (ISG), influenza is the leading cause of hospitalisation in children under five years of age.
Dr Alan Hampson, OAM, World Health Organization (WHO) consultant and Chair of the Influenza Specialist Group, explained that many people still remain unaware of the seriousness of influenza for young children.
Influenza causes similar rates of hospitalisation in young children as it does for adults over 65 years.
Australian studies have confirmed that influenza hospitalisation rates are highest among children aged under five years. Local and international data indicates children under five are more likely than any other age group to present to Emergency Departments and GPs, and need hospitalisation due to influenza.
While most children who become ill with influenza will recover within a matter of weeks, others may become seriously ill and require treatment.
When compared to other diseases, influenza in the zero-four year age group causes:
- Four times more hospitalisations than meningococcal disease
- More than three times more hospitalisations than pneumococcal disease
- Double the number of hospitalisations than chickenpox
Current immunisation guidelines
Current Australian immunisation guidelines recommend annual influenza vaccination for anyone who wishes to protect themselves. In particular, Australians over the age of six months who are at risk of severe complications from influenza should get vaccinated, including those with heart conditions, asthma and other lung conditions, diabetes (type 1 and type 2), kidney problems or impaired immunity.
'Influenza is often passed off as something which isn't serious in kids… Unfortunately this isn't always the case – each year nearly 1,500 Australian children are hospitalised for influenza. It is worth parents considering measures like vaccination to help protect the health of their children and discussing with their family doctor.'
–Dr Jim Buttery, Murdoch Children's Research Institute and Infectious Diseases Unit, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne
Not only are influenza infection rates generally highest among children, children are also a major transmitter of influenza in the community.
When you should get immunised
Typically, influenza infections start to increase in June, and peak between July and September. Children under nine years of age who have not been previously vaccinated are recommended to receive two doses the first year they get vaccinated–In subsequent years, they only require one dose. As it takes two weeks for full immunity to develop after vaccination, now is the time to get vaccinated against influenza.
For more information on influenza, download the Influenza Specialists Group influenza fact sheet.
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