Shortage of influenza vaccine in 2000-2001: did it change patient beliefs?
OBJECTIVE
To determine which patient beliefs associated with influenza vaccination changed during a vaccine shortage year (2000-2001) from a nonshortage year (1999-2000).


METHODS
Elderly patients (n=319), who had been previously interviewed about the 1999-2000 influenza season, were interviewed regarding the 2000-2001 season. Participants were from inner-city and suburban medical practices receiving influenza vaccine supply on time or late in the season.


RESULTS
Although vaccination rates did not diminish due to the influenza vaccine shortage (73% in 1999-2000 vs 74% in 2000-2001), some patient attitudes changed. More respondents expressed concerns about the influenza vaccine (3% in 1999-2000 vs 12% in 2000-2001, p<0.0001), and fewer responded that friends thought that they should get the vaccine (75% 1999-2000 vs 66% 2000-2001, p=0.005); that if one person in the household "got the flu" others would also (71% 1999-2000 vs 67% 2000-2001, p<0.0001), and that "a person who does not get the flu shot will get influenza" (36% 1999-2000 vs 30% 2000-2001, p=0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
The influenza vaccine shortage resulted in a small increase in concerns about influenza vaccine, even in a population with good access to vaccine and high vaccination rates. Vaccine availability updates should include reassurances of vaccine safety and efficacy.
Department of Family Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3518 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA. zimmer@pitt.edu
Richard K
RK
Zimmerman
Mary Patricia
MP
Nowalk
Tammy A
TA
Santibanez
Ilene K
IK
Jewell
Mahlon
M
Raymond
D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012923:Social Class; D013383:Suburban Population; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population
D007252:Influenza Vaccines