Influenza immunization surveillance in rural Manitoba

Evaluation of influenza vaccine delivery programs in Canada has been insufficient. This study examines both the influenza vaccine distribution, and the population immunized by various health care providers, in the rural Interlake region of Manitoba. Primary care physicians, public health nurses, and institutions were asked to record the number of doses of vaccine given and the risk group of those vaccinated. Overall, 77.7% of doses distributed to providers were actually given. Two thirds of doses were given to the elderly. Almost 50% of the elderly in Interlake received influenza vaccine through Interlake providers. Public health nurses provided more vaccine to the well elderly, physicians vaccinated more of the chronically ill, and institutions vaccinated both residents and health care workers. Physician participation in the survey increased from 30% during the pilot phase to 71.9% after feedback of pilot study results.