Predictors of influenza virus vaccination status in hospitalized children.
OBJECTIVE
To determine predictors of influenza virus vaccination status in children who are hospitalized during the influenza season.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted among children who were hospitalized with fever between 6 months and 3 years of age or with respiratory symptoms between 6 months and 18 years of age. The 1999 to 2000 influenza vaccination status of hospitalized children and potential factors that influence decisions to vaccinate were obtained from a questionnaire administered to parents/guardians.


RESULTS
Influenza vaccination rates for hospitalized children with and without high-risk medical conditions were 31% and 14%, respectively. For both groups of children, the vaccination status was strongly influenced by recommendations from physicians. More than 70% of children were vaccinated if a physician had recommended the influenza vaccine, whereas only 3% were vaccinated if a physician had not. Lack of awareness that children can receive the influenza vaccine was a commonly cited reason for nonvaccination.


CONCLUSIONS
A minority of hospitalized children with high-risk conditions had received the influenza vaccine. However, parents' recalling that a clinician had recommended the vaccine had a positive impact on the vaccination status of children.
Poehling
K A
KA
Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA. katherine.poehling@mcmail.vanderbilt.edu
Speroff
T
T
Dittus
R S
RS
Griffin
M R
MR
Hickson
G B
GB
Edwards
K M
KM
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003144:Communication Barriers; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D007252:Influenza Vaccines