Allison Kempe1, Matthew F. Daley
1, Lori Crane
2, Jennifer Barrow
1, Nellie Hester
1, Brenda L. Beaty
1, Norma Allred
3, Kellyn Pearson
1, and Stephen Berman
1. (1) Dept. of Pediatrics, Univ. of Colo. HSC, Children's Outcomes Research Program, The Children's Hospital, 1056 E. 19th Avenue, Denver, CO, USA, (2) Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics, University of Colorado HSC, 4200 E. 9th Avenue, C245, Denver, CO, USA, (3) National Immunization Program, CDC
BACKGROUND:
The ACIP has long recommended annual influenza (flu) immunization (Iz) in adults ³65 years and in individuals with chronic medical conditions and in 2004 will also recommend Iz in children 6-23 months.
OBJECTIVE:
To compare 1) parental knowledge of current recommendations regarding flu Iz and 2) parental perceptions of the safety of flu Iz in children and adults of different ages with and without a chronic medical condition.
METHOD:
The study was conducted in 5 Denver pediatric practices that are part of a regional Iz registry. We random selected 862 healthy children 6-21 months of age and surveyed their parents during August-October, 2003. Parents were asked about recommendations regarding flu Iz and their opinion regarding the safety of the Iz in healthy 1, 10 and 70 year olds, and in 1 and 70 year olds with a long-term health problem such as diabetes.
RESULT:
The survey response rate was 57% (n=482 completed surveys). The percentage of parents reporting that national organizations currently encouraged or recommended flu Iz in healthy 1 year olds was 39% (95% CI 32%, 46%), in healthy 10 year olds was 41% (34%, 48%) and in healthy 70 year olds was 82% (79%, 86%); 59% thought 70 year olds were at higher risk of severe disease than were 1 year olds. Although 65% (60%, 71%) thought the Iz safe in healthy 1 year olds, only 40% (33%, 47%) considered it safe in 1 year olds with a chronic medical condition. Similarly, 86% (83%, 90%) thought it safe in healthy 70 year olds, whereas only 50% (43%, 56%) thought it safe in a 70 year old with a chronic medical condition.
CONCLUSION:
Educational efforts to encourage flu Iz in all high-risk groups should highlight: 1) children <2 years are at equal risk of severe flu disease as are the elderly and 2) a chronic medical condition is an indication for flu Iz and does not put children or adults at additional risk of complications from the flu vaccine.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
To assess parental knowledge of flu Iz recommendations perceptions of safety of Iz in individuals in different risk categories.