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Evaluation of influenza vaccine effectiveness at the population level: comparison of influenza disease burden between Hong Kong and Brisbane.

kpchanaa - Posted on 03 January 2012

Project Description: 

1. To assess change of influenza associated disease burden in Hong Kong during the period of 2000-2002 (2001-2002?) when influenza vaccination rates remained at a low level, and the period of 2004-2008 when influenza vaccination rates at a high level.
2. To compare the disease burden in Hong Kong with those in Brisbane where influenza vaccination rates kept at a similar level, in order to reveal the effectiveness of vaccines at the population level with proper adjustment for virulence of influenza strains and other confounding factors.
3. To compare the disease burden of 2009 H1N1 pandemic between Hong Kong and Brisbane, with the aim of evaluating different control measures adopted by the health authorities of these cities.

Researcher name: 
Wong Chit Ming
Researcher position: 
Associate Professor
Researcher email: 
hrmrwcm@hku.hk
Research Project Details
Project Duration: 
01/2012 to 06/2013
Project Significance: 
This study will be the first to assess the effects of influenza vaccines at the population level, with careful adjustment for antigenic change of viruses by comparing the relative changes in disease burden between two regions. Particularly, as the vaccination rates increased dramatically for the community dwelling elders in Hong Kong but maintained at the similar level in Brisbane (see Part b above), this offers an opportunity to revisit the policy of listing the elders as the priority group for vaccination that has been under debates due to the recent controversial results on effectiveness of influenza vaccines in this age group.
Results Achieved: 
The findings will add a piece of key evidence to the effectiveness of influenza vaccines, especially for the subtropics and tropics where the uptake rates are much lower than the temperate regions. This study shall help policy makers to refine their vaccination strategies and shall also promote annual vaccination campaigns in the general population.