Maryland doctor: The state should implement a mandatory flu vaccine for preschoolers in licensed facilities.

Maryland should implement mandatory influenza vaccination for children in licensed child care and preschool programs.

Influenza, a serious preventable viral disease that peaks in frequency during the winter season, is associated with high morbidity and mortality in younger children and the elderly. It is easily prevented through vaccination. Among all age groups, influenza infection rates are highest in pre-school and school-aged children. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 20 percent to 50 percent of children under age 5 are infected with the influenza virus annually. Children also carry a higher viral load and stay contagious for longer time periods compared to adults. These findings have major public health implications, as the disease burden associated with influenza in children ultimately leads to a domino effect and can help cause an influenza epidemic.

The public health ramifications of an influenza outbreak are significant, resulting in huge social and economic burdens. In the United States, about 1 out of every 1,000 children infected with influenza annually is hospitalized. The CDC estimates that an average of 73 hours of work time is lost for caregivers of hospitalized children. One U.S. study demonstrated that for every 100 children followed during the influenza season, 28 developed influenza. This was associated with 68 missed school days, 20 missed work days by parents, and 22 transmissions of influenza to other household members. This translates to a high loss of productivity for children in terms of missed schoolwork and for adults in terms of missed work.

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