Richard K. Zimmerman1, Mary Patricia Nowalk
1, Tammy A. Santibanez
2, Ilene K Jewell
3, and Mahlon Raymund
4. (1) Family Medicine & Clinical Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, 3518 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, USA, (2) National Immunization Program, CDC, 1600 Clifton Road, NE, Mailstop E-62, Atlanta, GA, USA, (3) Health Services Administration, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA, (4) University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
KEYWORD1:
Influenza vaccine/ supply and distribution, immunization/prevention and control, immunization/trends
BACKGROUND:
During the influenza vaccination season of 2000, there was an unprecedented, widespread, and highly publicized delay in distribution of influenza vaccine.
OBJECTIVE:
To determine beliefs associated with vaccination in a shortage-year and any changes from a previous non-shortage year.
METHOD:
Elderly patients (n=557)in the Pittsburgh region, some of whom had been previously interviewed about the 1999-2000 influenza season (n=319), were interviewed regarding the 2000-2001 season. Triandis model factors included on the survey were: facilitating conditions, attitudes, social influences, and perceived consequences. Participants were from practices receiving influenza vaccine supply on-time or late in the season.
RESULT:
Significantly more (98%) of the vaccinated reported planning to be vaccinated against influenza next year, than did the unvaccinated (35%; P<.0001). More respondents reported concerns about getting the flu shot in the shortage season compared to the previous season using paired analyses (3% vs. 12%, P<.0001), though there was no significant difference among respondents in on-time and late-receipt practices. Fewer respondents in the shortage year compared to the previous year believed that if an individual in the household gets the flu, others will also get it (30% vs. 36%, P=.02). Among the 68 unvaccinated in 2000, 40% indicated that fear of side effects was the reason, compared to 28% for 1999 (P=.03). In logistic regression, vaccine receipt was associated with agreeing that an unvaccinated person would probably contract influenza (P=.03), belief that their doctor recommends vaccination (P<.001), willingness to receive both influenza and pneumococcal vaccines at the same time (P=.003)and not agreeing that getting the flu shot is more trouble than it is worth (P=.003).
CONCLUSION:
The shortage was associated with a small increase in concerns about influenza vaccine and its safety.
LEARNINGOBJECTIVES:
1) Examine the effect of the shortage on influenza vaccination rates
2) Examine changes in patient beliefs due to the shortage
See more of Impact of Delays in Influenza Vaccine Distribution in the United States, 2000 and 2001
See more of The 37th National Immunization Conference
