Estimates of Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness in Taiwan, 2013–2014

Hui-Hsun Huang1, Wan-Ting Huang2, Chi-Hsi Chang1, Chia-Lin Lee1, Ding-Ping Liu1

2014 Vol.30 NO.21

Correspondence Author: Hui-Hsun Huang

  • 1. Epidemic Intelligence Center, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan
  • 2. Office of Preventive Medicine, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan

Abstract:

       Since 2011, Taiwan Centers for Disease Control has been using a sentinel approach to estimate the effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccine (VE) against laboratory-confirmed medically attended influenza patients. The VE estimate for the 2013–2014 influenza season from a test-negative case-control study was 51% overall, 34% against influenza B, 51% against influenza A, and 71% against H3N2, respectively. Results for the 2013–2014 season indicate that vaccination has reduced the risk for influenza-associated medical visits non-significantly. We continue to recommend that eligible groups shall receive the influenza vaccine for the 2014–2015 season to prevent illness from influenza.

Keywords:influenza, influenza vaccine, vaccine effectiveness, case-control study, surveillance