Late-season influenza vaccination: a national survey of physician practice and barriers.
Am J Prev Med
; 39(1): 69-73, 2010 Jul.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-20547279
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Although late-season influenza vaccination has been recently promoted, existing data suggest it occurs infrequently.PURPOSE:
This study aims to describe among primary care physicians (1) late-season vaccination practices; (2) perceived barriers; and (3) factors associated with late-season influenza vaccination in a year when vaccine supplies are inadequate or delayed.METHODS:
A survey administered March 2007-June 2007 to 1268 primary care providers in a national survey network. Data analysis was completed in 2009.RESULTS:
Overall response rate was 74% (n=940). Seventy-one percent of respondents reported vaccinating until February/March when there were adequate vaccine supplies and 84% reported vaccinating until February/March when vaccine supplies were inadequate or delayed. Perceived barriers to late-season vaccination included difficulty administering a second dose in children if the first was given late in the season (91% of respondents); providers/patients forgetting about vaccination (77%); and concern about having unused vaccine left at the end of a season (74%). Physicians who reported vaccinating into February/March when vaccine supplies were inadequate or delayed more often reported believing late-season vaccination is clinically beneficial, experiencing difficulty persuading patients to accept late-season vaccination, forgetting about the need for vaccination, not being able to meet demand for influenza vaccine and experiencing high patient volumes during winter months.CONCLUSIONS:
Most physicians appear willing to perform late-season vaccination despite existing data demonstrating that it occurs infrequently. Efforts to increase late-season vaccination should address vaccine supply issues, late-season influenza vaccine reminders, and patient and provider education on its clinical benefits.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Primary Health Care
/
Practice Patterns, Physicians'
/
Influenza Vaccines
/
Influenza, Human
Type of study:
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
America do norte
Language:
En
Journal:
Am J Prev Med
Journal subject:
SAUDE PUBLICA
Year:
2010
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States