Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
By the end of the presentation participants will be able to discuss household report of childhood flu vaccination from the National Immunization Survey (NIS).

Background:
For the 2003-2004 flu season, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) encouraged vaccination of children 6-23 months of age. Annually, the NIS, a random-digit-dialing survey, is conducted to obtain vaccination coverage for the U.S. non-institutionalized population of children aged 19-35 months.

Objectives:
To examine receipt of flu vaccination and factors associated with coverage among children aged 7-23 months, reasons for non-vaccination, and knowledge of vaccination recommendations reported by respondents.

Methods:
In April-September 2004, 4,657 of NIS households were asked additional questions regarding flu vaccinations. Household report was used to determine flu vaccination status since September 2003. Analyses were restricted to children who were 7-23 months at some time from September to December 2003 and completed the interview before October 2004 (n = 3,780).

Results:
Almost one-third (29.3%; 95% CI: 27.5-31.2) of children received the flu vaccination according to household report. Of those who did not report receipt of flu vaccination, the most frequently reported reason for non-vaccination was their doctor did not say their child needed a flu shot (41.3%; 95% CI: 39.0-43.6). Over half of respondents (60.4%; 95% CI: 58.6-62.2) thought the flu shot was recommended for all children 6 months – 2 years and 58.5% (95% CI: 53.4-63.4) of those with a child less than 18 years with asthma in the household, thought it was recommended for children of any age who have asthma.

Conclusions:
Influenza vaccine coverage, parental knowledge, and provider recommendations for influenza vaccination of 6-23 month old children may have increased during the 2004-05 influenza season, when the ACIP encouragement was replaced with a recommendation. NIS will continue to monitor flu vaccination coverage for children for which the flu vaccine is recommended.