Allison Kempe1, Matthew F. Daley
1, Lori A. Crane
2, Brenda L. Beaty
3, Shannon Stokley
4, Miriam Dickinson
5, Jennifer Barrow
3, Christine Babbel
3, John F. Steiner
3, Art Davidson
6, 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, B032, Denver, CO, USA, (2) Dept. of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics, Univ. of Colo. HSC, 4200 E. 9th Ave, Box C-245, Denver, CO, USA, (3) Colorado Health Outcomes Program, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, P.O. Box 6508, F-443, Aurora, CO, USA, (4) National Immunization Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, NE, MS E-52, Atlanta, GA, USA, (5) Dept. of Family Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, 4200 E 9th Ave, Box B-119, Denver, CO, USA, (6) Public Health, Denver Health, 605 Bannock Street, MC #2600, Denver, CO, USA
Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
By the end of the presentation participants will be able to describe the impact of the 2004-2005 influenza vaccine shortage on primary care practice.
Background:
Because of shortages of influenza vaccine for the 2004-2005 influenza season, ACIP recommended directing available influenza vaccine to high-risk priority groups.
Objectives:
To assess among primary care physicians the effect of shortages during the 2004-2005 influenza season on 1) patient outcomes and use of antiviral treatments and 2) physician willingness to give influenza vaccine in 2005-2006.
Methods:
We conducted mailed surveys of randomly selected AMA pediatricians, general internal medicine (GIM) physicians and family physicians (FM). The survey protocol consisted of 4 mailings over a 6 week period.
Results:
The overall response rate was 33% and the study population included 319 FM, 251 GIM, and 377 pediatricians. 36% of FM, 34% of GIM and 10% of pediatric providers reported vaccinating somewhat/many fewer patients in priority groups in 2004-2005 compared to 2003-2004. 22% of FM, 14% of GIM and 8% of pediatricians thought there were somewhat more/many more unimmunized patients in their practices with serious complications during the 2004-2005 compared with the 2003-2004 season. 43% of FM, 29% of GIM and 25% of pediatric providers reported using anti-viral agents in somewhat/many more of their un-immunized patients. 97% of FM, 96% of GIM and 99% of pediatricians reported planning to give influenza vaccine during the 2005-2006 season, although they planned to order higher numbers of doses earlier in the season and work on office methods to better target priority patients.
Conclusions:
Primary care physicians reported that vaccine shortages led to increased morbidity in their patients and significant increases in their use of antiviral agents. Despite difficulties encountered by primary care physicians, almost all reported planning to give influenza vaccine in the coming year.
See more of Impact of Influenza Vaccine Shortage during the 2004–2005 Season
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