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Predictors of influenza virus vaccination status in hospitalized children
K A Poehling1, T Speroff, R S Dittus
1Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA. katherine.poehling@mcmail.vanderbilt.edu
Insights
Physician recommendations significantly increase influenza vaccination rates in hospitalized children. Many parents cited lack of awareness as a reason for not vaccinating their children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Influenza vaccination is crucial for protecting children, especially those hospitalized.
- Understanding factors influencing vaccination decisions in pediatric hospital populations is essential for improving public health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key predictors of influenza vaccination status among children hospitalized during the influenza season.
- To explore parental awareness and physician influence on pediatric influenza immunization.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study surveyed parents/guardians of hospitalized children (6 months to 18 years) regarding vaccination status and influencing factors.
- Data collected included child's age, symptoms, high-risk medical conditions, and parental recall of physician recommendations.
Main Results:
- Influenza vaccination rates were 31% for high-risk children and 14% for others.
- Physician recommendations were a strong predictor, with over 70% vaccinated after a recommendation versus 3% without.
- Lack of awareness regarding vaccine eligibility was a common reason for non-vaccination.
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of hospitalized children, including those at high risk, remain unvaccinated against influenza.
- Reinforcing physician recommendations and addressing parental awareness are critical strategies to improve pediatric influenza vaccination coverage.
Objective:
To determine predictors of influenza virus vaccination status in children who are hospitalized during the influenza season.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among children who were hospitalized with fever between 6 months and 3 years of age or with respiratory symptoms between 6 months and 18 years of age. The 1999 to 2000 influenza vaccination status of hospitalized children and potential factors that influence decisions to vaccinate were obtained from a questionnaire administered to parents/guardians.
Results:
Influenza vaccination rates for hospitalized children with and without high-risk medical conditions were 31% and 14%, respectively. For both groups of children, the vaccination status was strongly influenced by recommendations from physicians. More than 70% of children were vaccinated if a physician had recommended the influenza vaccine, whereas only 3% were vaccinated if a physician had not. Lack of awareness that children can receive the influenza vaccine was a commonly cited reason for nonvaccination.
Conclusions:
A minority of hospitalized children with high-risk conditions had received the influenza vaccine. However, parents' recalling that a clinician had recommended the vaccine had a positive impact on the vaccination status of children.
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