Monitoring Influenza Vaccine Coverage In American Indian/Alaska Native Patients Served by Indian Health Service-Funded Facilities

Background: American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people are at higher risk for influenza-related complications than the general U.S. population. While influenza vaccine coverage for AI/AN is similar to coverage for other U.S. populations, current immunization coverage surveys often have limited AI/AN sample sizes, making it difficult to estimate coverage.

Objectives: To assess influenza vaccine coverage among AI/AN people served by IHS-funded facilities.

Methods: For the 2010-2011 influenza season IHS developed a facility-specific all-ages influenza vaccination coverage report for patients seen at its 240 facilities. The report can be run by the facility at any time and used to target vaccination efforts. The report collects influenza vaccine administration data for the following age groups: 6 – 23 months, 2 – 4 years, 5-17 years, 18-49 years, 50-64 years and 65+ years.  The report also collects data on those 18-49 years old with a high-risk condition as defined in the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices influenza vaccine recommendation. The IHS Immunization Program will collect reports from each facility for the period Sept-Dec. 31^st, 2010. Data will be aggregated to provide national and regional influenza vaccine coverage for IHS-funded facilities. In addition, for the 3^rd year, IHS will collect influenza vaccine coverage data on healthcare personnel (HCP) employed in IHS facilities.

Results: We will report influenza vaccination coverage among patients seen at IHS-funded facilities for the 2010-2011 season for all age and risk groups outlined above and compare that to data available on other U.S. population groups. In addition, we will examine trends in influenza vaccine coverage among HCP.

Conclusions: Ensuring high influenza vaccine coverage among AI/AN populations is an important strategy for reducing the disparate impact of influenza on AI/AN people. Developing tools such as an influenza vaccine coverage report to target the use of influenza vaccine can assist influenza vaccination efforts and improve coverage.