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Physician knowledge and perspectives regarding influenza and influenza vaccination
Samuel R Dominguez1, Robert S Daum
1Pediatric Immunization Program, Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago Hospitals, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.
Insights
Physician knowledge gaps regarding influenza infection severity and vaccination guidelines hinder universal influenza vaccination for young children. Increased education is crucial for achieving higher vaccination rates in children aged 6-23 months.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Immunology
- Public Health
Background:
- Young children under 24 months face risks of influenza hospitalization and complications.
- Recommendations shifted for universal influenza vaccination for healthy children aged 6-23 months starting in the 2004-05 season.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess pediatrician and family practitioner knowledge and current practices regarding influenza vaccination in young children.
- To identify barriers to achieving universal influenza vaccination coverage in children aged 6-23 months.
Main Methods:
- A survey was distributed to a random sample of family practitioners and pediatricians in Chicago.
- Questions covered physician demographics, current influenza vaccine use, and knowledge of influenza infection and vaccination in children.
- Responses were evaluated against published literature and Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) guidelines.
Main Results:
- Influenza vaccination recommendation and perceived use were low during the 2002-2003 season for both healthy and high-risk children.
- Many physicians lacked awareness of influenza's severity in young children.
- Physicians demonstrated deficits in identifying contraindications, determining the need for two vaccine doses, and recognizing influenza complications.
Conclusions:
- Physician understanding of influenza severity in children 6-23 months is insufficient.
- Increased physician knowledge regarding vaccine indications is necessary to meet universal vaccination goals.
- Targeted educational interventions are needed to improve influenza vaccination rates in young children.
Background:
Recent studies have demonstrated that healthy children younger than 24 months of age are at risk for influenza-associated hospitalization and influenza related complications. In light of this, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed their recommendation for influenza vaccination for the 2004-05 season to include universal vaccination for all healthy children 6-23 months of age.
Methods:
A self-administered survey was distributed to a random sampling of family practitioners and pediatricians in Chicago, IL. Questions were asked regarding demographics, current use of influenza vaccines, and knowledge regarding influenza vaccines and influenza infection in children. Answers were scored as correct based on published literature and AAP/ACIP recommendations.
Results:
During the 2002-2003 influenza season, recommendation for influenza vaccination and perceived use for both healthy children and children with a high-risk medical condition were both low. The majority of physicians were not aware of the severity of influenza infection in young children, could not correctly identify all contraindications to receiving vaccination, did not know which children require two vaccinations, and were not aware of the complications of influenza in children.
Conclusions:
To achieve the goal of universal influenza vaccination coverage for the 2004-05 season for healthy children 6-23 months of age, physicians will need a greater understanding of the severity of influenza illness in this age group coupled with an increased knowledge of indications for vaccine administration.
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