Effect of mass immunization against influenza encephalopathy on mortality rates in children

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Abstract
Background : Since the Japanese influenza vaccination program for school children was terminated in 1994, a steep rise has been noted in the number of young children reported with fulminant influenza and influenza associated with acute encephalopathy/encephalitis. The purpose of the present study was to interpret and clarify the effect of mass influenza vaccination on mortality of Japanese children, aged Methods : The authors examined the distribution of mortality rates of children in Japan aged Results : Total influenza mortality among children aged P < 0.05). The annual mortality rates of influenza‐associated acute encephalopathy/encephalitis during 1995−2000 were significantly higher than the expected mortality of influenza associated with central nervous system signs in children aged P < 0.05). Conclusion : The results of the present study suggest that mass immunization of school‐aged children reduced the mortality rate from influenza‐associated acute encephalopathy/encephalitis in children less than 9 years of age.