 |
|
The Feasibility of Universal Influenza Vaccination for Infants and Toddlers
Sharon G. Humiston, MD, MPH;
Peter G. Szilagyi, MD, MPH;
Marika K. Iwane, PhD, MPH;
Stanley J. Schaffer, MD, MS;
Jeanne Santoli, MD;
Laura Shone, MSW, DrPH;
Richard Barth, BS;
Thomas McInerny, MD;
Benjamin Schwartz, MD
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2004;158:867-874.
Background Physicians' opinions on the feasibility of routine influenza vaccination of infants and toddlers are unknown.
Objective To assess the opinions of primary care providers regarding (1) the feasibility of an expanded influenza vaccination recommendation, (2) potential barriers, and (3) current and projected use of immunization reminder systems for influenza vaccination.
Methods In February 2001, we mailed a 20-item, self-administered survey to a national random sample of pediatricians and family physicians (FPs). The survey primarily focused on a scenario of routine influenza vaccination for children aged 12 through 35 months using either injected or intranasal spray vaccine.
Results Four hundred fifty-eight eligible physicians completed the survey (eligible response rate: pediatricians, 72%; FPs, 52%). Regarding the scenario mentioned above, most physicians agreed that implementation would be feasible (pediatricians, 80%; FPs, 69%); would significantly decrease illness visits during influenza season (pediatricians, 67%; FPs, 57%); and was justified by influenza's severity and complications (pediatricians, 61%; FPs, 41%). When considering a scenario that extended down to 6 months of age and only allowed use of injectable vaccine for infants, fewer physicians (pediatricians, 50%; FPs, 40%) considered implementation feasible. The issues most frequently cited as important potential barriers for practices were costs (77%), vaccine safety issues (52%), and the inability to identify eligible children (46%).
Conclusion To make widespread implementation feasible, the following are needed: minimizing costs for families and physician practices, educational campaigns on key issues, and primary care system changes (eg, tracking of eligible children, reminder and/or recall systems, and immunization clinics).
From the New Vaccine Surveillance Network, and the Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Rochester, NY (Dr Humiston); Department of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics, Strong Children's Research Center, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester (Drs Szilagyi, Schaffer, Shone, and McInerny and Mr Barth); and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Immunization Program, Atlanta, Ga (Drs Iwane, Santoli, and Schwartz).
Dr Humiston has received honorarium for research from the Monroe County (New York) Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Immunization Program; honorarium from publishers Slack Inc, Thorofare, NJ, Medical Economics Books, Montvale, NJ, and Peachtree Publishers, Atlanta, Ga; and honorarium for giving various continuing medical education talks at federal agencies, state health departments, private health care provider organization, and private continuing medical education and pharmaceutical companies.
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
|
Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Among Children 6 to 59 Months of Age During 2 Influenza Seasons: A Case-Cohort Study
Szilagyi et al.
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2008;162:943-951.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Delivering Adolescent Vaccinations in the Medical Home: A New Era?
Szilagyi et al.
Pediatrics 2008;121:S15-S24.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Influenza Vaccine Coverage and Missed Opportunities Among Inner-city Children Aged 6 to 23 Months: 2000-2005
Verani et al.
Pediatrics 2007;119:e580-e586.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Vaccine Effectiveness Against Medically Attended, Laboratory-Confirmed Influenza Among Children Aged 6 to 59 Months, 2003-2004
Shuler et al.
Pediatrics 2007;119:e587-e595.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
The Impact of Conjugate Pneumococcal Vaccination on Routine Childhood Vaccination and Primary Care Use in 2 Counties
Szilagyi et al.
Pediatrics 2006;118:1394-1402.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Influenza Vaccination Coverage of Children Aged 6 to 23 Months: The 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 Influenza Seasons
Santibanez et al.
Pediatrics 2006;118:1167-1175.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Immunization With Trivalent Inactivated Influenza Vaccine in Partially Immunized Toddlers
Englund et al.
Pediatrics 2006;118:e579-e585.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
The Safety of Trivalent Influenza Vaccine Among Healthy Children 6 to 24 Months of Age
Goodman et al.
Pediatrics 2006;117:e821-e826.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Effectiveness of the 2003-2004 Influenza Vaccine Among Children 6 Months to 8 Years of Age, With 1 vs 2 Doses
Ritzwoller et al.
Pediatrics 2005;116:153-159.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Impact of Mass Communication in the Implementation of Influenza Vaccination for Infants
De Marco et al.
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2005;159:596-596.
FULL TEXT
Impact of Mass Communication in the Implementation of Influenza Vaccination for Infants--Reply
Humiston
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2005;159:596-597.
FULL TEXT
A Comparison of 2 Influenza Vaccine Schedules in 6- to 23-Month-Old Children
Englund et al.
Pediatrics 2005;115:1039-1047.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Parent Opinions About Universal Influenza Vaccination for Infants and Toddlers
Humiston et al.
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2005;159:108-112.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
|
