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Background: Limited data are available regarding influenza vaccine use by US pediatricians.
Objectives: To describe influenza vaccine utilization in US pediatric offices.
Methods: In this prospective, observational study conducted during the 2007–2010 influenza seasons, pediatric offices (n=42, 84, and 92 per season) tracked influenza vaccinations by age. This analysis evaluates the 2009-2010 season in comparison with the 2007-2009 seasons.
Results: In 2009, by August 15 and 31, 42% and 74% were administering seasonal vaccines, respectively, compared with 20% and 32% in 2008 and 4% and 4% in 2007; by September 15 and 30, 86% and 88% were administering seasonal vaccines in 2009, compared with 58% and 79% in 2008 and 50% and 71% in 2007. Similar to 2007-2009, initial administration of seasonal Vaccines for Children (VFC) vaccine was delayed by 2-4 weeks relative to non-VFC vaccines. Through October 31, 2009, the mean number of seasonal vaccinations per office to patients ≤18 years was 772 (578 non-VFC, 194 VFC), of which 29% were multidose vial injectable, 39% intranasal, and 32% prefilled syringe injectable. The 772 seasonal pediatric doses per office was 56% higher than the mean number (496) for the prior season through October 31, 2008. Pandemic H1N1 vaccinations began in October 2009 and were accompanied by a decline in seasonal vaccinations; by October 15 and 31, 33% and 74% of offices were administering H1N1 vaccines (multidose vial injectable, 50%; intranasal. 47%; prefilled syringe injectable, 4%).
Conclusions: In-office pediatric seasonal influenza vaccination in 2009-2010 was administered earlier than during the 2007-2009 seasons, and offices vaccinated more children prior to October 31 than previously. Most providers were administering pandemic H1N1 vaccines by the end of October, and seasonal vaccinations declined as pandemic vaccinations increased. Data collection will continue through the end of the season. Sponsored by MedImmune.