Prevalence and characteristics of children at increased risk for complications from influenza, United States, 2000.
OBJECTIVE
Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for children at high risk of complications from influenza due to underlying medical conditions, but few children are vaccinated. Vaccination also is encouraged for all children aged 6 to 23 months when feasible. This study describes the prevalence and characteristics of at-risk children nationwide.


METHODS
A descriptive analysis of the 2000 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) was conducted among children in the United States aged 6 months through 17 years with identified high-risk conditions, and among all children aged 6 to 23 months.


RESULTS
Approximately 5.2 to 10.0 million children aged 6 months through 17 years (7.4%-14.2%) had high-risk conditions indicated for influenza vaccination. Asthma accounted for the majority of conditions. An estimated 7.7 million children would be aged 6 to 23 months during influenza season. Most young children and older children at high-risk have access to and frequently utilize healthcare services.


CONCLUSIONS
Existing doctor visits are important opportunities for vaccinating children with high-risk conditions, or for those aged 6 to 23 months. Additional efforts are needed to implement and evaluate efficient strategies for annual influenza vaccination of children aged 6 to 23 months and for older children with medical indications.
Erhart
Laura M
LM
Association of Schools of Public Health, Atlanta, USA. lerhart@hs.state.az.us
Rangel
Mara C
MC
Lu
Peng-Jun
PJ
Singleton
James A
JA
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D007223:Infant; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000150:complications* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D007252:Influenza Vaccines