Early estimates of 2016/17 seasonal influenza vaccine effectiveness in primary care in France

•2016/17 influenza epidemic in France is dominated by influenza A(H3N2) viruses.•Early 2016/17 influenza vaccine effectiveness estimates were moderate in France.•Early 2016/17 estimates were higher than in past A(H3N2) epidemics.

BackgroundThe ongoing 2016/17 influenza epidemic in France is characterized by the circulation of A(H3N2) viruses, known to cause more severe illness among at risk populations.ObjectivesThe purpose of our study was to provide early influenza vaccine effectiveness (IVE) estimates for the ongoing influenza epidemic in France and compare these estimates over the six post-pandemic IVE.Study designWe used clinical and virological data collected in primary care by the French Sentinelles network. IVE in preventing influenza infection was estimated by the test-negative design method. The screening method was used to estimate IVE in preventing medically-attended influenza-like illness among target groups (<65 year with chronic diseases and ≥65 years) since 2010/11 influenza epidemic.ResultsEarly IVE estimates in primary care against influenza A(H3N2) were 48% (95% confidence interval (CI): 22-66) overall and 39% (95% CI: −17 to 69) among elderly (aged 65 and older). In comparison to the last six epidemics, 2016/17 early IVE in preventing influenza-like illness among target groups showed VE estimates higher to those reported during the 2011/12 and 2014/15 epidemics.ConclusionsThe moderate 2016/17 IVE estimates were higher than those estimated during influenza A(H3N2) epidemics with vaccine mismatch.