Influenza Vaccine is Protective Against Laboratory-confirmed Influenza in Obese Children.

Background: Obesity emerged as a novel risk factor for severe disease during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic. Murine studies indicate that obesity is associated with ineffective response to influenza vaccine, but few human studies exist. We aimed to determine if influenza vaccine is protective against laboratory-confirmed influenza in obese children.

Parental perceptions and predictors of consent for school-located influenza vaccination in urban elementary school children in the United States.

Background: School-located influenza vaccination (SLV) programs have the potential to mass-vaccinate all enrolled children, but parental consent is required.

Objective: To examine parental attitudes and determine predictors of parental consent for vaccination of schoolchildren through SLV programs.

Patients/methods: Surveys were distributed to parents of 4517 children during 2009-2010 (year 1) and 4414 children during 2010-2011 (year 2) in eight elementary schools in conjunction with a SLV program.

Varicella hospitalizations in Los Angeles during the varicella vaccination era, 2003-2011: are they preventable?

Characteristics of varicella-related hospitalizations in the mature varicella vaccination era, including the proportion vaccinated and the severity of disease, are not well described. We present the vaccination status, severity and reasons for hospitalization of the hospitalized varicella cases reported to the Los Angeles County Health Department from 2003 to 2011, the period which includes the last 4 years of the mature one-dose program and the first 5 years after introduction of the routine two-dose program. A total of 158 hospitalized varicella cases were reported overall, of which 52.

School-located influenza vaccination decreases laboratory-confirmed influenza and improves school attendance.

Background: School-located influenza vaccination (SLV) programs can efficiently immunize large numbers of school-aged children. We evaluated the impact of SLV on laboratory-confirmed influenza and absenteeism.

Methods: Active surveillance for influenza-like illness (ILI) was conducted on 4455 children in 4 SLV intervention and 4 control elementary schools (grades K-6) matched for sociodemographic characteristics during the 2010-2011 influenza season in Los Angeles County, California.

Implementation of a hepatitis A/B vaccination program using an accelerated schedule among high-risk inmates, Los Angeles County Jail, 2007-2010.

Background: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend vaccination for men who have sex with men (MSM) and injection drug users against hepatitis A and B. This study is the first report of a hepatitis vaccination program in a United States jail with a combined vaccine using an accelerated schedule. Los Angeles County has the largest jail system in the nation and Men's Central Jail (MCJ) is the largest facility within that system.