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The test-negative design for estimating influenza vaccination effectiveness

Description

The test-negative design is a variation of the case-control study, in which patients are enrolled in outpatient clinics (and/or hospitals) based on a clinical case definition such as influenza-like illness (ILI). Patients are then tested for influenza virus, and VE is estimated from the odds ratio comparing the odds of vaccination among patients testing positive for influenza versus those testing negative, adjusting for potential confounding factors. The design leverages existing disease surveillance networks and as a result, studies using it are increasingly being reported.

Objective

We aimed to describe the theoretical basis and the potential applications of the test-negative design for estimating influenza vaccination effectiveness in sentinel influenza surveillance.

Submitted by Magou on