Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
By the end of the presentation participants will be able to describe physicians' experiences ordering and receiving vaccine during the 2005-2006 influenza season.

Background:
In the fall of 2005, anecdotal reports from physicians about problems ordering and receiving influenza vaccine for the 2005-2006 influenza season prompted the Vaccine Policy Collaborative Initiative to administer a survey among a network of physicians.

Objectives:
To identify problems general internists and pediatricians encountered when ordering and receiving influenza vaccine during the 2005-2006 influenza season.

Methods:
A national network of general internists and pediatricians was surveyed in November 2005 via the internet. A content analysis was conducted of qualitative responses to an open-ended invitation to comment on problems encountered when ordering and receiving influenza vaccine for 2005-2006 influenza season.

Results:
Survey response rates were 51% (156/308) for general internists and 64% (180/283) for pediatricians. A total of 53 general internists and 102 pediatricians provided comments. Four general themes emerged from 26 conceptual domains in which physicians' concerns fell: barriers to obtaining an adequate influenza vaccine supply, the impact of barriers on practices, additional factors contributing to problems experienced, and physicians' perceptions of cause(s) of and comments about problem(s) experienced. Within these themes, notable domains included: lack of communication between distributors and practices, increased workload to obtain and manage available vaccine supply, prioritized distribution of vaccine to large-volume purchasers, and lack of faith in the U.S. influenza vaccine system.

Conclusions:
These qualitative data indicate that physicians perceive a number of problems with the influenza vaccine distribution/supply system and have concerns about distribution/supply issues related to their ability to vaccinate their patients. These findings are useful in directing further quantitative assessments about the extent and nature of perceived problems, as well as generating ideas for solutions.