Assessing Influenza Vaccination Coverage During the 2010-11 Season

Background:  During 2009-10, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported, for the first time, influenza vaccination coverage estimates weekly and monthly in response to the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. The 2010-11 influenza season is the first one post-pandemic and the first for implementation of ACIP’s influenza vaccination recommendation for all U.S. persons ≥6 months. Continued enhanced monitoring is necessary in this season to provide timely feedback and inform improvements in program performance. 

Setting: United States

Population: N/A

Project Description:  Coverage assessment systems used during 2010-11 include:

1. Rapid household telephone surveys conducted November 2010 and March 2011 to provide in-season and end-season vaccination coverage estimates and related opinions, nationally and in 20 selected local areas;
2. Internet panel surveys conducted November 2010 and March 2011 to provide vaccination coverage estimates and related opinions among health care personnel and pregnant women;
3. Third-party vaccination claims data to monitor weekly vaccination trends in private provider offices at national, state and city levels (2 week lag);
4. Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services claims data to monitor weekly trends in vaccination primarily among nursing home residents  (3-4 week lag); 
5. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to provide monthly state-level vaccination coverage for adults (2-3 month lag);
6. NIS sample frame to provide weekly national and monthly state-level vaccination coverage for children 6 months-17 years (2 week lag);
7. Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring system  to provide selected state-level vaccination coverage estimates for pregnant women (available post-season);
8. National Health Interview Survey to provide national vaccination coverage for children and adults (available post-season)

Results/Lessons Learned:  Details and key findings related to these systems and their use during the season will be described. Lessons learned for improving influenza vaccination coverage and monitoring influenza vaccination in future seasons will be discussed.