Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
By the end of the presentation participants will be able to describe the process for ‎assessing coverage levels for influenza vaccination in San Diego County and identify ‎which groups were more affected by the influenza vaccine shortage.‎

Background:
As the severity of the 2004-05 influenza vaccine shortage changed CDC expanded the ‎recommended priority groups.‎

Objectives:
Assess influenza vaccine coverage for various groups. Estimate the impacts of the ‎shortage and identify possible strategies for improving coverage. ‎

Methods:
During March to mid-April of 2004 and 2005, 4049 respondents ages ≥18 years and ‎‎4138 parents of 6-23 month old infants were interviewed in a random digit dialing ‎telephone survey. ‎

Results:
In the high priority groups (age ≥65 years, 18-49 years with health problems, and health ‎care workers age 18-49 years), coverage declined <5%. Among the lower priority ‎groups (18-49 years without risk factors and 50-64 years), coverage declined by ‎statistically significant differences of 54% and 33%, respectively. The only group ‎increasing coverage was infants aged 6-23 months, from 21.5% to 40.1%. The most ‎common reason for receiving influenza vaccination in all groups was a recommendation ‎from a doctor or nurse. Reasons for not receiving influenza vaccine during the shortage ‎varied. The answers, “saving the vaccine for others” or “provider didn't have the ‎vaccine,” were the two most common for health care workers and household contacts. ‎The top reason for adults 18-64 with underlying health conditions, and for adults ≥65 ‎years, was “provider didn't have the vaccine.” “Never sick” was the most common for ‎healthy adults 18-49 years.‎

Conclusions:
Results indicate that the national strategy of prioritizing the groups was successfully ‎implemented in San Diego County. One potential strategy for increasing coverage ‎across groups would be interventions targeted to health care providers.‎