Abstract
WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC? School-aged children represent a particularly vulnerable population for influenza transmission due to their dense social interactions and limited awareness of protective measures. Since 2019, Shenzhen has provided free influenza immunizations to this demographic, with vaccination campaigns typically initiated during the autumn months. WHAT IS ADDED BY THIS REPORT? This study utilized influenza surveillance data from Shenzhen to develop an age-stratified compartmental model for epidemiological simulations, evaluating the disease burden prevented by influenza vaccinations among school-aged children during the 2023-2024 season. Additionally, an optimization framework was developed to design strategic vaccination schedules while considering the importance of maintaining stable public health policies over time. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE? The findings suggest concentrating vaccination efforts during November and December; however, optimal strategies may vary depending on specific influenza transmission patterns. A more robust approach involves implementing a generalized strategy optimized using historical seasonal data with comparable transmission characteristics.