Mark H. Sawyer1, Robert Vryheid
1, Wendy Wang
1, Tracy Danos-Healy
1, Michelle De Guire
1, John M. Fontanesi
2, Kathleen W. Gustafson
3, and K. Michael Peddecord
4. (1) San Diego Immunization Program, UC San Diego, County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, PO Box 85222, Mail Stop P511B, 3851 Rosecrans Street, San Diego, CA, USA, (2) Community Pediatrics, UC San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0927, La Jolla, CA, USA, (3) San Diego County Immunization Program, County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, PO Box 85222, Mail Stop P511B, 3851 Rosecrans Street, San Diego, CA, USA, (4) Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive MC - 4161, San Diego, CA, USA
BACKGROUND:
The 2004-2005 influenza immunization season is the first in which 6-23 month old children are included among the high-risk populations for which annual vaccination is recommended. This presents pediatric providers with a significant logistics problem—the processing of hundreds of healthy children during a typically busy time of year. There is insufficient information on best practices to immunize this population.
OBJECTIVE:
1. Identify the methods adopted by clinics to implement the new pediatric influenza recommendations.
2. Assess the impact of the pediatric influenza vaccine recommendation on offices/clinics.
METHOD:
A convenience sample of 11 private pediatric/family medicine practices and 12 public health/non-profit community health centers in San Diego County was selected. An in-depth interview was conducted in October/November with key office personnel to determine what methods the clinic is using to implement the pediatric influenza vaccine recommendation. A second interview will be conducted in February to assess the impact of influenza vaccination efforts on the clinic.
RESULT:
Clinics included in the study served between 11-1200 children in the 6-23 month age group. Some sites are planning special influenza vaccine clinics but others are attempting to incorporate influenza immunization into their routine office flow by appointment or during walk-in immunization sessions. Not all clinics are using reminder systems to prompt young children for influenza immunization. Vaccine availability has been an issue for most clinics and the final impact of the influenza vaccine shortage will be assessed during the post-season interview.
CONCLUSION:
Various approaches to accomplish routine pediatric influenza immunization are being utilized. Best practices can start to be identified based on these experiences.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
List the different approaches utilized in San Diego for complying with the new pediatric influenza immunization recommendations.
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