Vaccine, Therapeutic Clinical Trials For Prevention Of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A/H5N1 Virus In Pediatric Populations Should Be Prioritized, Study Suggests

Infectious Disease Advisor (5/23, Basilio) reported a study found that “vaccine and therapeutic clinical trials for the prevention of highly pathogenic avian influenza A/H5N1 in pediatric populations should be prioritized as the virus evolves due to the high risk for severe infection in this group.” Although the risk for “avian influenza A/H5N1 virus infection is low in humans, infants and children typically show high rates of symptomatic influenza infection, particularly during pandemics.” Moreover, there is no FDA-approved “avian influenza vaccine for pediatric patients in the national vaccine stockpile.” Researchers concluded, “One of the greatest challenges in preventing HPAI [highly pathogenic avian influenza] A/H5N1 infection in the pediatric population will inevitably be in implementation.” Therefore, “it is critical that pediatric clinical trials of A/H5N1 vaccine candidates are adapted and prioritized.” The study was published in The Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society.