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Persons using assistive technology might not be able to fully access information in this file. For assistance, please send e-mail to: [email protected]. Type 508 Accommodation and the title of the report in the subject line of e-mail. Recommendation of the Immunization Practices Advisory Committee Prevention and Control of InfluenzaThese recommendations of the Immunization Practices Advisory Committee (ACIP) update for 1985-1986 the information on the vaccine and antiviral agent available for control of influenza (superseding MMWR 1984;33:253-66). Changes include addition of statements about: (1) the route of vaccine administration; (2) the use of amantadine in medical personnel during influenza A outbreaks; (3) the need to prepare contingency plans to expedite use of amantadine in aborting influenza A outbreaks among residents of institutions; and (4) reduction in the dosage of amantadine for older patients or persons with seizure disorders. INTRODUCTION Influenza viruses have continually demonstrated an ability to cause major epidemics of respiratory disease. Typical influenza illness is characterized by abrupt onset of fever, sore throat, and nonproductive cough, and unlike many other common respiratory infections, can cause extreme malaise lasting several days. More severe disease can result from invasion of the lungs by influenza virus (primary viral pneumonia) or by secondary bacterial pneumonia. High attack rates of acute illness and the frequent occurrence of lower respiratory tract complications usually result in dramatic rises in visits to physicians' offices and hospital emergency rooms. Furthermore, influenza frequently infects individuals who, because of their ages or underlying health problems, are poorly able to cope with the disease and often require medical attention, including hospitalization. Such persons are considered to be medically at "high risk" in epidemics. In one recent study, for example, hospitalization rates for adults with high-risk medical conditions increased during major epidemics by about twofold to fivefold in different age groups, reaching a maximum rate of about 800 excess hospitalizations per 100,000 high-risk persons. A further indication of the impact of influenza epidemics is the significant increase that often occurs in mortality. Such excess mortality is attributed not only to the direct cause of influenza pneumonia but also to an increase in deaths from cardiopulmonary disease. Ten thousand or more excess deaths have been associated with epidemics 17 times from 1957 to 1984. Excess mortality again exceeded the epidemic threshold during the 1984-1985 influenza season. About 90% of the excess deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza during epidemics occur among persons 65 years of age or older. The greatest impact of influenza is normally seen when new strains appear against which most of the population lacks immunity. In these circumstances (e.g., 1957 and 1968), pandemics occur, and a quarter or more of the U.S. population was affected over 2-3 months. Because of the increasing proportion of elderly persons in the U.S. population, and because age and its associated chronic diseases are risk factors for severe influenza illness, the future toll from influenza may increase, unless control measures are used more vigorously than in the past. Other populations at high risk for influenza-related complications are also increasing because of such factors as the success of intensive-care units for neonates, better management of diseases (such as cystic fibrosis), and better survival rates for organ transplant recipients. This statement discusses the presently available medical control measures, immunoprophylaxis with vaccines, and prophylaxis or therapy with the antiviral drug, amantadine. OPTIONS FOR THE CONTROL OF INFLUENZA For about 20 years, efforts to reduce the impact of influenza in the United States have been aimed primarily at immunoprophylaxis of persons at greatest risk of serious illness or death. Observations during influenza epidemics indicate that most influenza-related deaths occur among: (1) persons older than 65 years of age; and (2) persons with chronic underlying disorders of the cardiovascular, pulmonary, and/or renal systems, as well as those with metabolic diseases (including diabetes mellitus), severe anemia, and/or compromised immune function. Recommendations listed below apply primarily to these high-risk groups. In addition, measures are described that apply to other individuals or groups under special circumstances. Influenza control options should also be made available to individuals who wish to reduce their chances of acquiring influenza infection or to reduce the severity of disease. Prophylaxis is likely to be achieved with greatest cost-effectiveness by vaccinating individuals for whom infection may have the most severe consequences and for whom there is a higher than average potential for infection. In addition, vaccination can best be organized when such high-risk individuals routinely have contact with the health-care delivery system for reasons other than acute respiratory infection before the influenza season, thereby permitting vaccine administration without special visits to doctors' offices or clinics. Other indications for prophylaxis (whether with vaccine or antiviral drugs) include the strong desire of any person to avoid a preventable illness. The presently available specific therapy for influenza A, amantadine hydrochloride (Symmetrel{R}), is most likely to benefit individuals who seek medical attention promptly because of abrupt onset of an acute respiratory infection with troublesome symptoms during an influenza A epidemic. For high- risk individuals for whom influenza vaccine has not been used or has not prevented infection, amantadine therapy should be effective in reducing the severity of disease. INACTIVATED INFLUENZA VACCINE Use of inactivated influenza vaccine is the single most important measure in preventing and/or attenuating influenza infection. Potency of present vaccines is such that nearly all vaccinated young adults develop hemagglu- tination-inhibition antibody titers that are likely to protect them against infection by strains like those in the vaccine and, often, by related variants that emerge. The elderly, the very young, and patients with certain chronic diseases may develop lower postvaccination antibody titers than young adults. Under these circumstances, however, influenza vaccine may be more effective in preventing lower respiratory tract involvement or other complications of influenza than in preventing infection and involvement of the upper respiratory tract. Influenza vaccine will not prevent primary illnesses caused by other respiratory pathogens. Annual vaccination against influenza has been recommended since 1963 for individuals at high risk of lower respiratory tract complications and death following influenza infection, i.e., the elderly and persons with chronic disorders of the cardiovascular, pulmonary, and/or renal systems, metabolic diseases, severe anemia, and/or compromised immune function. These groups have been identified primarily by reviews of death certificate data, supported by hospital-based or population-based studies. Each group encompasses patients along a continuum of underlying general health. In other words, within each broadly defined high-risk category, some persons may be more likely than others to develop severe complications from influenza infection. Investigations of influenza outbreaks in nursing homes, for example, have demonstrated attack rates as high as 60%, with case-fatality ratios of 30% or more. Chronic diseases and other debilitating conditions are common among nursing home residents, and spread of infection can often be explosive in such relatively crowded and closed environments. Recent retrospective studies of noninstitutionalized patients also suggest that chronic underlying diseases, particularly those that affect the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems, may contribute more to the severity of illness than age alone. Since influenza infections are also known to invoke abnormalities in gas exchange and peripheral airways dysfunction in adults, children with compromised pulmonary function, including those with cystic fibrosis, chronic asthma, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia, as well as neonates in intensive-care units, may also be at higher risk of severe illness, although firm evidence is lacking. Children with congenital heart disease may also be considered at high risk, since respiratory viruses in general often produce severe infections in this population. TARGET GROUPS FOR VACCINATION
VACCINE RECOMMENDATIONS Influenza vaccine is recommended for high-risk persons 6 months or older, for their medical-care personnel, and for other persons wishing to reduce their chances of acquiring influenza illness. Vaccine composition and doses are given in Table 1. Guidelines for use of vaccine are given below for different segments of the population. Although the 1985-1986 vaccine has the same formulation as the 1984-1985 vaccine, immunity declines in the year following vaccination. Therefore, history of vaccination for the 1984-1985 season does not preclude the need to be revaccinated for the 1985-1986 influenza season to provide optimal protection. Data on influenza vaccine immunogenicity and reactogenicity have generally been obtained when vaccine is administered by the intramuscular (deltoid) route. Because adequate evaluation of other routes in high-risk persons is lacking, the preferred route of vaccination is the deltoid muscle whenever possible. HIGH-PRIORITY TARGET GROUPS Annual vaccination with inactivated influenza vaccine is considered the single most important measure in preventing or attenuating influenza infection and is strongly recommended for persons at high risk and for those providing their medical care. In most past years, only 20% of the groups defined as high-risk on the basis of medical condition or age received influenza vaccine in any given year. Increased efforts must be made to immunize persons in high-risk groups, particularly those in the highest- priority target groups (see target group 1 above). As an initial step, the ACIP recommends that infection-control programs in institutions for the aged or chronically ill have as their goal the achievement of no less than 80% vaccination rates for the residents. Hospitals and physicians should have a similar objective for vaccinating patients with severe cardiopulmonary disorders and for vaccinating medical personnel who have the greatest potential to introduce influenza virus into high-risk hospital settings (see target group 2 above). Wherever possible, efforts should also be made to vaccinate persons at moderately increased risk (see target group 3 above). This latter objective often requires that active promotion of influenza vaccine be made by individual physicians who practice outside organizations that can set administrative guidelines and procedures for their professional staff. Establishing systems for influenza vaccination activities in physicians' offices and clinics is essential in providing vaccine. General population. Physicians should administer vaccine to any persons in their practices who wish to reduce their chances of acquiring influenza infection. Persons who provide essential community services, such as fire and police department employees, and health-care personnel are not considered to be at increased occupational risk of serious influenza illness but may be considered for vaccination programs designed to minimize the possible disruption of essential activities that can occur during severe epidemics. Pregnant women. Pregnancy has not been demonstrated to be a risk factor for severe influenza infection, except in the largest pandemics of 1918-1919 and 1957-1958. Influenza vaccine is considered generally safe for pregnant women. Nonetheless, when vaccine is given during pregnancy, waiting until after the first trimester is a reasonable precaution to minimize any concern over the theoretical possibility of teratogenicity. Persons who should not be vaccinated. Inactivated influenza vaccine should not be given to persons who have an anaphylactic sensitivity to eggs, (see SIDE EFFECTS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS below). Persons with acute febrile illnesses normally should not be vaccinated until their temporary symptoms have abated. STRATEGIES FOR IMPLEMENTING INFLUENZA VACCINE RECOMMENDATIONS Influenza vaccine should normally be obtained to use during the fall. More effective programs for giving influenza vaccine are needed in nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities, in physicians' offices, and in hospital settings. Adults and children in high-priority target groups who do not reside in nursing homes or other chronic-care facilities should be given influenza vaccine at the time of regular medical follow-ups in the fall. Those not scheduled for regular medical appointments in the fall should be notified by their medical offices or clinics to come in specifically to receive influenza vaccine. During the fall, physicians responsible for care of hospitalized patients should consider administering influenza vaccine to patients with high-risk conditions before the patients are discharged. These and other programs to annually vaccinate target groups require planning well in advance and should, whenever possible, be completed before the beginning of the influenza season. However, vaccine can be given right up to the time influenza virus activity is documented, and even thereafter, although temporary chemoprophylaxis may be indicated in these situations (see ANTIVIRAL AGENT: AMANTADINE below). VACCINE COMPOSITION Influenza A viruses are classified into subtypes on the basis of two antigens: hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N). Three subtypes of hemagglutinin (H1, H2, H3) and two subtypes of neuraminidase (N1, N2) are recognized among influenza A viruses that have caused wide-spread human disease. Immunity to these antigens, especially hemagglutinin, reduces the likelihood of infection and the severity of disease if infection does occur. However, there may be sufficient antigenic variation (antigenic drift) within the same subtype over time, so that infection or vaccination with one strain may not induce immunity to distantly related strains of the same subtype. Although influenza B viruses have shown much more antigenic stability than influenza A viruses, antigenic variation does occur. As a consequence, the antigenic characteristics of current strains provide the basis for selecting virus strains included in the vaccine. Based on the most recent epidemiologic and laboratory data (reported periodically in MMWR during the 1984-1985 influenza season), it is antici- pated that strains prevalent in 1985-1986 will be closely related to A/Philippines/2/82(H3N2), A/Chile/1/83(H1N1), and B/USSR/100/83. Therefore, these strains will be included in the vaccine for use during the 1985-1986 season (Table 1). Although the components and their concentration in the 1985-1986 vaccine will be identical to those in the 1984-1985 vaccine, all 1984-1985 influenza vaccines released for civilian use have a June 30, 1985, expiration date. Remaining 1984-1985 vaccines should not be used beyond their expiration dates. SIDE EFFECTS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS Vaccines used in recent years have generally been associated with only a few reactions; fewer than one-third of vaccinees have been reported to develop local redness or induration for 1 or 2 days at the site of injection. Systemic reactions have been of two types:
of warfarin and theophylline. Several studies, however, have failed to show any consistent adverse effect of influenza vaccination on patients taking these drugs. SIMULTANEOUS PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINATION There is considerable overlap in the target groups for influenza vaccin- ation and pneumococcal vaccine. Pneumococcal vaccine and influenza vaccine can be given at the same time at different sites without increased side effects, but it should be emphasized that, whereas influenza vaccine is given annually, pneumococcal vaccine should be given only once to adults. Detailed immunization records, which should be provided to each patient, will help ensure that additional doses of pneumococcal vaccine are not given. ANTIVIRAL AGENT: AMANTADINE The only drug currently available for the specific prophylaxis and therapy of influenza virus infections is amantadine hydrochloride (Symmetrel{R}), which appears to interfere with the uncoating step in the virus replication cycle. The drug also reduces virus shedding. Amantadine is 70%-90% effective in preventing illnesses caused by circulating strains of type A influenza viruses (it is not effective against type B influenza). When administered within 24-48 hours after onset of illness, amantadine has been shown to reduce the duration of fever and other systemic symptoms with a more rapid return to routine daily activities and improvement in peripheral airway function. Since it may not prevent actual infection, persons who take the drug may still develop immune responses that will protect them when exposed to antigenically related viruses. While considerable evidence shows that amantadine chemoprophylaxis is effective against influenza A, in most circumstances, it should not be used in lieu of vaccination, because it confers no protection against influenza B, and patient compliance could be a problem for continuous administration throughout epidemic periods, which generally last 6-12 weeks. Amantadine prophylaxis recommendations. Specific circumstances for which amantadine prophylaxis is recommended include the following:
unimmunized members of the general population who wish to avoid influenza A illness). This decision should be made on an individual basis. Therapy. Since vaccine efficacy is less then 100%, amantadine should be considered for therapeutic use, particularly for persons in the high-risk groups if they develop illness compatible with influenza during a period of known or suspected influenza A activity in the community. The drug should be given within 24-48 hours of onset of illness and should be continued until 48 hours after resolution of signs and symptoms. Persons who should not be given amantadine. Particular caution should be exercised for persons under 1 year of age, persons of any age with impaired renal function, or persons with an active seizure disorder (see below). Dosage. The usual adult dosage of amantadine is 200 mg per day. Splitting the dose into 100 mg twice daily may reduce the frequency of side effects. Because renal function normally declines with age, and because side effects have been reported more frequently in older persons, a reduced dosage of 100 mg/day is generally advisable for persons aged 65 years and older to minimize the risk of toxicity. Dosages for children and for persons of any age with recognized renal disease are given in Table 2. Persons 10-64 years old without recognized renal disease but with an active seizure disorder may also be at risk of increased frequency of their seizures when given amantadine at 200 mg/day rather then 100 mg/day. Side effects and adverse reactions. Five percent to 10% of otherwise healthy adults taking amantadine have reported side effects, such as insomnia, lightheadedness, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. These and other side effects (see package insert) may be more pronounced in patients with underlying diseases, particularly those common among the elderly; provisions for careful monitoring are needed for these individuals so that adverse effects may be recognized promptly and the drug reduced in dosage or discontinued, if necessary. Since amantadine is not metabolized, toxic levels will occur when renal function is sufficiently impaired. OTHER MEASURES Under special circumstances, supplementary control measures may be useful in further limiting the spread of influenza. Influenza is known to cause nosocomial infection; a number of measures, including isolation, cohorting of patients and personnel, limiting visitors, and avoiding elective admissions and surgery during an influenza outbreak, have all been suggested to limit further transmission. However, the effectiveness of most of these measures has not been conclusively demonstrated. Schools or classrooms have been closed occasionally when explosive outbreaks have occurred. The effect of this measure on virus transmission has not been established. SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY Barker WH, Mullooly JP. Influenza vaccination of elderly persons. Reduction in pneumonia and influenza hospitalizations and deaths. JAMA 1980;244: 2547-9. Barker WH, Mullooly JP. Impact of epidemic type A influenza in a defined adult population. Am J Epidemiol 1980;112:798-811. Barker WH, Mullooly JP. Pneumonia and influenza deaths during epidemics: implications for prevention. Arch Intern Med 1982;142:85-9. Bukowskyj M, Munt PW, Wigle R, Nakatsu K. Theophylline clearance. Lack of effect of influenza vaccination and ascorbic acid. Am Rev Resp Dis 1984; 129:672-5. Consensus Development Conference Panel. Amantadine: does it have a role in prevention and treatment of influenza? A National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference. Ann Intern Med 1980;92:256-8. DeStefano F, Goodman RA, Noble GR, McClary GD, Smith SJ, Broome CV. Simultaneous administration of influenza and pneumococcal vaccines. JAMA 1982;247:2551-4. Dolin R, Reichman RC, Madore HP, Maynard R, Linton PN, Webber-Jones J. A controlled trial of amantadine and rimantadine in the prophylaxis of influenza A infection. N Engl J Med 1982;307:580-4. Dowdle WR, Coleman MT, Gregg MB. Natural history of influenza type A in the United States. 1957-1972. Prog Med Virol 1974;17:91-135. Eickhoff TC. Committee on Immunization. Immunization against influenza: rationale and recommendations. J Infect Dis 1971;123:446-54. Fedson DS, Kessler HA. A hospital-based influenza immunization program, 1977-78. Am J Public Health 1983;73:442-5. Galasso GJ, Tyeryar FJ Jr, Cate TR, et al (eds.). Clinical studies of influenza vaccines -- 1976. J Infect Dis 1977;136(Suppl):S341-S742. Glezen WP. Serious morbidity and mortality associated with influenza epidemics. Epidemiol Rev 1982;4:25-44. Hammond GW, Cheang M. Absenteeism among hospital staff during an influenza epidemic: implications for immunoprophylaxis. Can Med Assoc J 1984; 131:449-52. Horadam VW, Sharp JG, Smilack, JD, Schonberger LB. Pharmacokinetics of amantadine hydrochloride in subjects with normal and impaired renal function. Ann Intern Med 1981;94:454-8. Kaplan JE, Katona P, Hurwitz ES, Schonberger LB. Guillain-Barre syndrome in the United States, 1979-1980 and 1980-1981. Lack of an association with influenza vaccination. JAMA 1982;248:698-700. Kilbourne ED, ed. The influenza viruses and influenza. New York: Academic Press, 1975. La Montagne JR, Noble GR, Quinnan GV, et al. Summary of clinical trials of inactivated influenza vaccine -- 1978. Rev Infect Dis 1983;5:723-36. Mufson MA, Krause HE, Tarrant CJ, Schiffman G, Cano FR. Polyvalent pneumococcal vaccine given alone and in combination with bivalent influenza vaccine. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1980;163:498-503. Nolan TF Jr, Goodman RA, Hinman AR, Noble GR, Kendal AP, Thacker SB. Morbidity and mortality associated with influenza B in the United States, 1979-1980. A report from the Center for Disease Control. J Infect Dis 1980;142:360-2. Patriarca PA, Kendal AP, Stricof RL, Weber JA, Meissner MK, Dateno B. Influenza vaccination and warfarin or theophylline toxicity in nursing- home residents {Letter}. N Engl J Med 1983;308:1601-2. Patriarca PA, Weber JA, Parker RA, et al. Efficacy of influenza vaccine in nursing homes. Reduction in illness and complications during an influenza A (H3N2) epidemic. JAMA 1985;253:1136-9. Parkman PD, Galasso GJ, Top FH Jr, Noble GR. From the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health, the Center for Disease Control, and the Bureau of Biologics of the Food and Drug Administration. Summary of clinical trials of influenza vaccines. J Infect Dis 1976;134:100-7. Wright PF, Dolin R, La Montagne JR. From the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health, the Center for Disease Control, and the Bureau of Biologics of the Food and Drug Administration. Summary of clinical trials of influenza vaccines -- II. J Infect Dis 1976;134:633-8. Younkin SW, Betts RF, Roth FK, Douglas RG Jr. Reduction in fever and symptoms in young adults with influenza A/Brazil/78 H1N1 infection after treatment with aspirin or amantadine. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1983;23:577-82. Disclaimer All MMWR HTML documents published before January 1993 are electronic conversions from ASCII text into HTML. This conversion may have resulted in character translation or format errors in the HTML version. Users should not rely on this HTML document, but are referred to the original MMWR paper copy for the official text, figures, and tables. 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