Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
By the end of the presentation participants will be able to describe the San Diego survey methods, consider doing a survey in their own community, and describe the impact of ACIP encouragement and recommendation on infant influenza vaccination coverage.

Background:
ACIP encouraged influenza vaccination for all children aged 6-23 months in the 2002-03 and 2003-04 influenza seasons, and recommended it in the 2004-05 season.

Objectives:
Monitor influenza immunization coverage for children aged 6-23 months in San Diego County. Estimate the impact of the new influenza vaccination recommendation on this age group. Identify strategies for improving influenza immunization coverage.

Methods:
During April to June of 2003 and 2004, 1177 and 1120 parents of children aged 6-23 months in the two flu seasons were interviewed using a random digit dialing telephone survey.

Results:
The coverage for one dose of influenza vaccine was raised from 21.5% in the 2003-04 flu season to 40.1% during 2004-05 flu season. The most common reason for receiving a flu shot was a recommendation from doctor/nurse. The answers, “my baby doesn't need flu vaccination,” or “I didn't know the baby needs it,” were most common reasons for children not receiving vaccine. Children in the recommended age range during entire flu season had 9% higher coverage than those aging in or out during the season. Coverage was lower for non-whites than whites, and children whose parents interviewed in Spanish than English. Children with health insurance were three times more likely to receive influenza vaccine than those without.

Conclusions:
One-dose influenza coverage doubled from the 2003-04 to the 2004-05 season. Since recommendation by a doctor or nurse was the main reason parents had their infants vaccinated, interventions by health care providers would be an effective strategy for increasing influenza vaccine coverage in this population.