Impact of influenza vaccine-modified infectivity on attack rate, case fatality ratio and mortality.

Abstract

Generally, vaccines are designed to provide protection against infection (susceptibility), disease (symptoms and transmissibility), and/or complications. In a recent study of influenza vaccination, it was observed that vaccinated yet infected individuals experienced increased transmission levels. In this paper, using a mathematical model of infection and transmission, we study the impact of vaccine-modified effects, including susceptibility and infectivity, on important epidemiological outcomes of an immunization program. The balance between vaccine-modified susceptibility, infectivity and recovery needed in preventing an influenza outbreak, or in mitigating the health outcomes of the outbreak is studied using the SIRV-type of disease transmission model. We also investigate the impact of influenza vaccination program on the infection risk of vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals.