North Dakota Influenza Campaign Evaluation

Background:
Annual vaccination with influenza vaccine is the best prevention against influenza and its complications. For the past few years, there have been either delays in the distribution of, or shortages of, influenza vaccine. For the 2008-2009 influenza season, vaccine manufacturers are estimating a record number of influenza vaccine doses will be available. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices now recommends that all children ages 6 months through 18 years be vaccinated against influenza. To help raise awareness about the importance of influenza vaccination, the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) is conducting an educational campaign, consisting of brochures, posters, television and radio ads, etc.

Setting:
In North Dakota, nearly 400 deaths are attributed to influenza and pneumonia. The highest mortality occurs in people older than 65 and those with underlying health problems; however, the highest morbidity occurs in those younger than the age of 19.

Population:
North Dakota's population, according to the United States census, is 635,867. Ninety-two percent of North Dakotans are White and 5.4% are American Indian.

Project Description:
The NDDoH is conducting an evaluation of its 2008-2009 influenza vaccination campaign in an effort to determine the effectiveness of the campaign in order to refine its components for future campaigns. A random sample of people ages 18 years and older are being surveyed. A representative sample of the North Dakota American Indian population was included in the survey population. 647 telephone interviews were conducted. Questions were asked about the visibility of television commercials and brochures, influenza vaccination history, high-risk conditions, reasons for not being vaccinated, etc.

Results/Lessons Learned:
Results from this evaluation are pending and will be available at the National Immunization Conference.