Influenza_Children
Influenza infection rates are generally highest in children. This factsheet provides guidance to support influenza vaccination in children.
Overview
References
1. Heikkinen T, Silvennoinen H, Heinonen S, Vuorinen T. Clinical and socioeconomic impact of moderate-to-severe versus mild influenza in children. European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases : official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology. 2016;35(7):1107-13.
2. Heikkinen T, Silvennoinen H, Peltola V, Ziegler T, Vainionpää R, Vuorinen T, et al. Burden of Influenza in Children in the Community. The Journal of infectious diseases. 2004;190(8):1369-73.
3. Science P. Respiratory Illness Dashboard: PHF Science; 2025 [cited 2026 19 Feb 2026]. Available from: https://www.phfscience.nz/digital-library/respiratory-illness-dashboard/
4. Li-Kim-Moy J, Yin JK, Blyth CC, Kesson A, Booy R, Cheng AC, Macartney K. Influenza hospitalizations in Australian children. Epidemiology and infection. 2017;145(7):1451-60.
5. Shang M, Blanton L, Brammer L, Olsen SJ, Fry AM. Influenza-Associated Pediatric Deaths in the United States, 2010–2016. Pediatrics. 2018;141(4).
6. Goldsmith JJ, Tavlian S, Vu C, Regan AK, Gibney KB, Campbell PT, Sullivan SG. Comparison of 2 Doses vs 1 Dose in the First Season Children Are Vaccinated Against Influenza: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JAMA Network Open. 2025;8(10):e2535250-e.
7. Prymula R, Siegrist C-A, Chlibek R, Zemlickova H, Vackova M, Smetana J, et al. Effect of prophylactic paracetamol administration at time of vaccination on febrile reactions and antibody responses in children: two open-label, randomised controlled trials. The Lancet. 2009;374(9698):1339-50.
8. Tan E, Braithwaite I, McKinlay CJD, Dalziel SR. Comparison of Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) With Ibuprofen for Treatment of Fever or Pain in Children Younger Than 2 Years: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(10):e2022398.
9. Das RR, Panigrahi I, Naik SS. The effect of prophylactic antipyretic administration on post-vaccination adverse reactions and antibody response in children: a systematic review. PloS one. 2014;9(9):e106629.

