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High influenza vaccination coverage in children with high-risk conditions during a vaccine shortage

Mandy A Allison1, Matthew F Daley, Jennifer Barrow

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado, Denver, CO, USA.

Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
|May 6, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric practices using recall systems maintained high influenza vaccination rates for children with high-risk conditions (HRCs) during a vaccine shortage. This system protected vulnerable children while coverage decreased for healthy peers.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious disease epidemiology
  • Public health vaccination strategies

Background:

  • Influenza vaccination is crucial for children, especially those with high-risk conditions (HRCs).
  • Vaccine shortages can disproportionately affect vaccination coverage, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of a recall system in maintaining influenza vaccination coverage for children with HRCs during a vaccine shortage.
  • To compare vaccination rates between children with and without HRCs during a period of vaccine scarcity.

Main Methods:

  • An observational study was conducted across four Denver pediatric practices.
  • Data were collected from computerized billing and electronic immunization information systems.
  • Vaccination coverage and timing were analyzed for children aged 24–72 months with and without HRCs during two influenza seasons, including a shortage year.

Main Results:

  • Influenza vaccination coverage for children with HRCs remained high (66.0% to 62.3%) during the shortage year, with no significant decrease (P = .07).
  • Coverage for healthy children significantly decreased from 43.8% to 29.5% (P < .001) during the shortage.
  • Practices prioritized HRC children for vaccination after the shortage was announced.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric practices with established systems to identify and recall children with HRCs can successfully maintain high vaccination coverage for this group.
  • Such systems are effective in protecting high-risk children during vaccine shortages, mitigating disparities in access compared to healthy children.
Abstract

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