Influenza vaccination during COVID-19 times - Dr. Tawee

Disease burden of influenza in children: 
Every year, influenza is responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide. It has been estimated that influenza causes 290,000 to 650,000 respiratory deaths annually worldwide. Worldwide, influenza results in 3 to 5 million cases of severe illness. Influenza's annual attack rate is high for children (estimated at 20-30%). Approximately, 4 people die from influenza every 5 minutes around the world. Data from WHO influenza surveillance from around the globe during 2020 and 2021 shows that influenza viruses are there, but not at the level of an epidemic. A study by the Lancet (2008) on the global burden of influenza in children aged less than 5 years concluded that 90 million cases of influenza occurred among children <5 years of age. 20 million cases of ALRI, 1 million cases of severe ALRI, and 28,000–111,500 deaths occurred, with 99% of the deaths occurring in developing countries. Influenza incidence in children <5 years of age is ~3 times higher in developing countries compared to developed countries.  
A study published in Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses found that infants <6 months had the highest hospitalization rates, 6 months to <5 years had the highest complication rate, especially neurologic, and influenza A patients were younger, and had higher seizure rates and complications compared to influenza B.