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Background: Despite frequent use of self-reported information to determine pediatric influenza vaccination coverage, little data are available on the validity of parental reporting of their child's influenza vaccination status and on factors affecting its accuracy., Methods: We compared parent reported influenza vaccination of children to documented reports of vaccination collected from medical records (the criterion standard) among children aged 6-59 months who presented to selected hospitals, emergency departments, and clinics in three U.S. counties with acute respiratory illness during three influenza seasons (November through May of 2004-2007). Demographic and epidemiologic data were collected from chart reviews and parental surveys., Results: Among 3072 children aged 6-59 months, 47.5% were reported by the parent to have received influenza vaccine and 39.5% of children had medical record verification of influenza vaccination. Sensitivity and specificity of parental reporting was 92.1% and 82.3%, respectively, when compared to the immunization record. However, 17.7% of children whose parents reported vaccination had no influenza vaccination documented in their medical records, and this proportion was even higher at 28.6%, among children with an underlying high-risk medical condition. Greater reporting accuracy was associated with younger age of child (6-23 months vs. 24-59 months), white non-Hispanic race/ethnicity, having health insurance, and having a mother with a college education., Conclusions: Our findings indicate that although parental report of influenza vaccination is fairly reliable (∼76-96%), over reporting by parents often occurs and immunization record review remains the preferable method for determining vaccination status in children., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Pediatricians and other professionals providing care for children and adolescents refer to a variety of information sources for guidelines regarding optimal therapy or preventive care. In some instances, the guidelines [...]

We compared rotavirus detection rates in children with acute gastroenteritis (AGE) and in healthy controls using enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) and semiquantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). We calculated rotavirus vaccine effectiveness using different laboratory-based case definitions to determine which best identified the proportion of disease that was vaccine preventable. Of 648 AGE patients, 158 (24%) were EIA positive, and 157 were also qRT-PCR positive. An additional 65 (10%) were qRT-PCR positive but EIA negative. Of 500 healthy controls, 1 was EIA positive and 24 (5%) were qRT-PCR positive. Rotavirus vaccine was highly effective (84% [95% CI 71%--91%]) in EIA-positive children but offered no significant protection (14% [95% CI -105% to 64%]) in EIA-negative children for whom virus was detected by qRT-PCR alone. Children with rotavirus detected by qRT-PCR but not by EIA were not protected by vaccination, suggesting that rotavirus detected by qRT-PCR alone might not be causally associated with AGE in all patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports that the influenza outbreaks in health care facilities can have a potentially devastating consequences for immunocompromised persons in the U.S. Evidence of the mechanisms of influenza transmission; Sources of health-care facility-acquired influenza; Vaccination of hospitalized patients at risk for influenza-related complications.

Outlines the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendations for varicella vaccine use in pediatric practice. Indications; Contraindications and cautions; Booster immunization.

Highlights: [•] We compared study designs to find the effectiveness of pentavalent rotavirus vaccine. [•] Study designs included were the case-control design and the case-cohort design. [•] Three doses of vaccine were found to be 92% effective in each analysis. [•] Two doses of vaccine were found to be from 79% to 83% effective. [•] Both designs found the vaccine highly effective when the vaccine series is completed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study determined direct medical costs for influenza-associated hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits. For 3 influenza seasons, children <5 years of age with laboratory-confirmed influenza were identified through population-based surveillance. The mean direct cost per hospitalized child was $5402, with annual cost burden estimated at $44 to $163 million. Factors associated with high-cost hospitalizations included intensive care unit (ICU) admission and having an underlying high-risk condition. The mean medical cost per ED visit was $512, with annual ED cost burden estimated at $62 to $279 million. Implementation of the current vaccination policies will likely reduce the cost burden. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Addresses a comment on a study on the safety and efficacy of Hemophilus influenzae type b vaccines. Failure to consider the temporal aspects of the performance of the type b capsular polysaccharide vaccines; Failure of the study to show biologic plausability; Differences in the estimates of efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]