title: Influenza vaccine coverage and missed opportunities among inner-city children aged 6 to 23 months: 2000-2005.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In 2002, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended universal influenza vaccination of 6- to 23-month-olds. Little is known about coverage and missed opportunities for influenza vaccination at inner-city practices. The objective of this study was to assess the 2000-2001 to 2004-2005 coverage and the prevalence of missed opportunities for influenza vaccination among inner-city children.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective review for the 2000-2001 to 2004-2005 influenza seasons at a practice network in New York City. The study population included 5 annual cohorts of 6- to 29-month olds as of March 31 of each year with > or = 1 visit to the network in the previous 12 months (n = 7063). Immunization data were obtained from the network registry and the New York Citywide Immunization Registry. Coverage levels were estimated for 1 dose (partial) and 2 doses (full). Missed opportunities were assessed for visits within each influenza season.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Coverage rose steadily throughout the 5 years (full: 1.6% to 23.7%; partial: 1.5% to 18.1%). The relationship between year and coverage was linear. Missed opportunities occurred in 82% of visits and were more common for first (89%) than for repeat doses (38%). Missed opportunities per child per season decreased from 2.9 to 2.0 during the study period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Influenza vaccine coverage among 6- to 23-month-olds at inner-city practices increased steadily from 2000-2001 through 2004-2005, and the prevalence of missed opportunities per child decreased. However, coverage remained suboptimal, with most of children not vaccinated or undervaccinated. Missed opportunities were major contributors to low coverage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, 622 W 168th St, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Verani
authors.forename: Matilde
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Irigoyen
authors.forename: Shaofu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chimkin
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D032541:Mass Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009519:New York City; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines