Influenza vaccination. Are we doing better than we think?
Patients who were candidates for influenza vaccination seen in the primary care center of a community teaching hospital were studied to determine whether there is a differential immunization rate depending on risk level. The immunization rate was as follows: moderate risk group, 44%; high risk group, 59%; and very high risk group, 81%. The immunization rate was also closely associated with the frequency of clinic visits, ranging from 34% for those with low visit frequency to 73% for those with high visit frequency. The highest vaccination rates were thus found in the groups at highest risk for influenza-associated morbidity and mortality. Although influenza complication rates are lower in the healthy elderly, this group is so large that the public health impact of a low vaccination rate will be significant. The healthy elderly should be the special targets of future influenza vaccination campaigns.
Gillick
M R
MR
Department of Medicine, Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, Mass. 02238.
Ditzion
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008404:Massachusetts / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D009819:Office Visits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D007252:Influenza Vaccines