Influenza and tetanus immunization. Are adults up-to-date in rural Alberta?

To discover what proportion of adults residing within the boundaries of a rural health district were up-to-date with influenza and tetanus vaccinations.

A directory-seeded, random digit dial telephone survey of health knowledge, attitudes, and practices was conducted in summer 1993. Eligible subjects were aged 16 or older, lived within health district boundaries, and spoke English.

Just over half (57.5%) of people aged 65 and older had received influenza vaccine in the previous 12 months, and 55.4% of people 16 years and older had received tetanus vaccine in the last 10 years (93% of people aged 16 to 24 were covered, but only 20.5% of people aged 65 or older). Most (89.8%) of those 65 and older knew that influenza vaccine was recommended for people their age. Only 59% of respondents knew that influenza vaccine was recommended for people with chronic health conditions, regardless of age.

Among adults, coverage with influenza and tetanus vaccines varies with age, but is generally unsatisfactory. Rates in this rural area of Alberta were similar to Canadian rates for tetanus vaccine coverage but higher for influenza vaccine coverage.