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Successes in earlier flu vaccination rates, but late-season vaccination rates continue to lag
Toback SL. Vaccine. 2011; [Published online ahead of print April 15].
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The message about the importance of influenza vaccination seems to be getting out, with pediatric immunization rates climbing about 40%, but influenza vaccination rates continue to drop in December and steadily throughout the remainder of the season, according to a study published online.
Seth L. Toback, MD, of MedImmune, and colleagues looked at medical claims filed as influenza vaccinations administered to privately insured children between Aug. 1 and March 31 for the 2006-2007 through the 2009-2010 seasons.
The researchers said although the proportions of influenza vaccines given to children increased every season, in all seasons, those rates dramatically declined in December. Eighty-five percent of all influenza doses were administered by the first week of January, Toback and colleagues wrote.
Delivery to children aged 6 months to 23 months was more dispersed during the season than older children, although rates of vaccination rose in each group during the study period. They said pediatricians were responsible for vaccination of younger children, and family physicians provided most of the influenza vaccines for older children.
Researchers noted a strong uptake in earlier vaccination rates in the 2008-2009 season, which they attributed to the public’s concerns over the pandemic influenza strain. They said the trend toward earlier vaccination rates was consistent with CDC’s recommendations to begin vaccination as soon as possible in the season.
“While there is a trend toward earlier vaccine administration in recent seasons, there is no evidence of increased vaccination later in the season,” the researchers said. “The precise reason for providers’ or parents’ unwillingness to continue vaccination at a high level through December into early spring is unknown.”
Disclosure: The study was funded under a contract with MedImmune, and the lead author is a MedImmune employee.
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