November 22, 2001

Safety of Influenza Vaccination in Adults and Children with Asthma

This double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involved 2032 patients with asthma. The participants received the inactivated influenza vaccine and placebo in random order, with a mean of 22 days between injections. The frequency of exacerbations of asthma was similar in the two weeks after influenza vaccination (28.8 percent) and after the placebo injection (27.7 percent).

Influenza is associated with substantial morbidity in persons with asthma. Few patients with asthma receive the influenza vaccine, apparently in part because of concern that it may cause a flare of disease. This study shows that the influenza vaccine is safe to administer to adults and children with asthma, including those with severe asthma.