Self-reported pH1N1 influenza vaccination coverage for Ontario

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Vaccinology

Background:

• Canada launched a widespread pandemic H1N1 (pH1N1) vaccination campaign in fall 2009.
• Assessing vaccination coverage is crucial for evaluating public health interventions.
• Ontario's pH1N1 prevention program required accurate uptake data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the self-reported pH1N1 vaccination coverage in the Ontario population.
• To identify factors associated with pH1N1 vaccination uptake.

Main Methods:

• A telephone survey using random digit-dialling was conducted with 9,010 Ontario adults.
• Data collected included self-reported vaccination status and presence of chronic conditions.

Main Results:

• Overall, 34.5% of Ontario residents reported receiving the pH1N1 vaccine.
• Vaccination coverage was 33.3% for adults and 38.6% for individuals under 18.
• Respondents with high-risk chronic conditions showed significantly higher vaccination rates.

Conclusions:

• Self-reported pH1N1 vaccination coverage in Ontario was 34.5% during the 2009 campaign.
• Individuals with chronic conditions were more likely to be vaccinated, indicating targeted success or higher perceived risk.
• Understanding vaccination uptake is vital for assessing the effectiveness of public health strategies.