The impact of mass school immunization on school attendance.
The purpose of this study was to assess the impact a free, on-site influenza immunization program could have on attendance in Title 1 schools. Four Title 1 elementary schools participated in the study. Students at 2 schools were offered free FluMist immunizations on site, and students at 2 control schools were not. Compliance on receiving FluMist was measured on the percentage of students participating after evaluating for medical exclusions. Documentation on the reason for absences at all 4 schools included self- or parent-reported influenza. Attendance rates for the year also were compared with the previous year for all 4 schools. A comparison was done of total days absent versus total days enrolled between schools receiving FluMist and schools not receiving the vaccine. Despite the fact that FluMist is a new vaccine and is not required for children, 57% of those medically eligible to receive it had parental permission and received the vaccine. The 2 schools receiving FluMist increased their attendance rates from 95.3% and 93.9% to 96.1% and 95.8%. Previously, the comparison schools each had a 94.6% attendance rate; one fell to 94.4% and the other rose very slightly to 94.7%. The differences in self- or parent-reported influenza absences were not significant. However, the difference in days absent between individual vaccinated and nonvaccinated schools was statistically significant.
Wiggs-Stayner
Kathleen S
KS
Community Nursing, Pediatrics, Pediatric Intensive Care, Pediatric Specialty Clinics, Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne, IN, USA.
Purdy
Teresa R
TR
Go
Gailya N
GN
McLaughlin
Natalie C
NC
Tryzynka
Penny S
PS
Sines
Joyce R
JR
Hlaing
Thein
T
D000041:Absenteeism; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D007196:Indiana; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*