Factors Influencing Influenza Vaccination Coverage in Korean Adolescents: Analysis of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey IV to VI

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Influenza vaccination coverage in adolescents is an important goal of informed vaccination policies and programs. This study aimed to estimate the influenza vaccination coverage rate and investigate the factors influencing influenza vaccination coverage in Korean adolescents. METHODS: The study population consisted of 5,213 adolescents (aged 12 to 18 years) who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2007 to 2014 (except for 2013). We analyzed influenza vaccination coverage in relation to the demographics, lifestyle, and medical characteristics of the participants. RESULTS: The influenza vaccination coverage rate, during the study period, was 23.2% (range, 21.1% to 24.7%). Logistic regression analysis revealed that factors influencing influenza vaccination were elementary school age (odds ratio [OR], 1.706; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.526 to 1.906), good self-rated health status (OR, 1.192; 95% CI, 1.057 to 1.344), a drinking status of non-drinker (OR, 1.769; 95% CI, 1.474 to 2.122), a smoking status of non-smoker (OR, 1.459; 95% CI, 1.144 to 1.860), and a past diagnosis of pneumonia (OR, 1.469; 95% CI, 1.076 to 2.006). CONCLUSIONS: Influenza vaccination coverage in Korean adolescents is relatively low. Special efforts are needed to increase vaccination coverage for adolescent groups with low vaccination rates including adolescent smokers and drinkers, middle and high school age adolescents, and adolescents with a poor self-rated health status.