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CDC notes slight increases in influenza vaccination rate
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Data collected from eight Immunization Information System sites in the United States noted a 5.5% increase in complete coverage with seasonal influenza vaccine between 2008-2009 and 2009-2010, CDC researchers reported.
Full influenza vaccination coverage among all children’s age groups increased 5.9% from 16.6% in 2008-2009 to 22.5% in 2009-2010. Among children between the ages of 6 and 23 months, full vaccination coverage increased from 33.4% to 34.7%, among children ages 2 to 4 years, from 26.0% to 31.0% and among children 5 to 12 years of age, from 16.2% to 23.8%.
The researchers noted that the recommendation to vaccinate all children aged 6 months to 18 years with seasonal and influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine carried both opportunities and challenges.
“The data in this report underscore the minimal increase in vaccination coverage among children aged 6-23 months from the 2008-2009 season to the 2009-2010 season,” CDC officials wrote in accompanying editorial. Low coverage among older children and low full vaccination coverage in younger children left “many unprotected against influenza.”
The CDC researchers stressed ongoing implementation of strategies to improve coverage, particularly later in the season, from January through March. They suggested increasing standing orders for the vaccine, increasing notification of parents and increasing vaccination programs schools.
The United States
The CDC also summarized influenza activity in the United States and worldwide between June 13 and Sept. 25, 2010.
The United States experienced low levels of influenza activity; typical seasonal patterns of influenza activity were observed in the southern hemisphere; and a mix of 2009 influenza A (H1N1), influenza A (H3N2) and influenza B viruses co-circulated in tropical regions, according to the findings.
Of 25,833 respiratory specimens analyzed in the United States, 1.3% tested positive for influenza. Of those isolates, 80% were influenza A viruses and 20% were influenza B viruses.
Among the influenza A specimens, 70% were H3 and 30% were 2009 influenza A (H1N1).
Weekly outpatient visits due to influenza-like illness over the studied time period ranged from 0.7% to 1%. Mortality rates due to pneumonia and influenza were below epidemic thresholds for most of the studied duration, and no pediatric deaths due to influenza were reported.