ARE 10V CONJUGATED PNEUMOCOCCAL AND INFLUENZA VIRUS VACCINES- PROTECTIVE FACTORS FOR SEVERE PNEUMONIA?
Abstract
Background
Pneumonia plays an important role in children’s morbidity and mortality. In Brazil, epidemiological and social changes occurred concomitantly with the universal introduction of the 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.This study identified risk factors for pneumonia.
Methods
A hospital-based, case-control study involving incident cases of pneumonia in children aged 1-59 months was conducted between October 2010 and September 2013 at a tertiary hospital in northeastern Brazil. The diagnosis of pneumonia was based on the WHOcriteria.The control group children admitted to the day-hospital ward for elective surgery. Children with comorbidity were excluded. The risk factors finvestigated were among those classified the WHO as definite, likely and possible. A multivariate analysis was performed.
Results
The study evaluated 452 children in the case group and 407 in the control group. Household crowding (OR=2.08) and not having been vaccinated against the influenza virus (OR=3.7) were the only factors found to increase the likelihood of pneumonia. Being male constituted a protective factor (OR=0.52).
Conclusions
The risk factors for pneumonia underwent changes that were probably associated with the expansion of the vaccination program and social improvements; however, these proved insufficient to overcome inequalities.The possible protection provided by the influenza vaccine needs to be evaluated against new etiological studies.
