School-based influenza immunization.
Annual influenza vaccination of schoolchildren will protect individual vaccines and, with high coverage, may protect entire communities. Because schoolchildren are more difficult to reach than preschoolers, school-based immunization programs may be needed to reach a high percentage of children. We offered free live, attenuated influenza vaccine to all healthy schoolchildren (K-12) in three Minnesota counties. Counties vaccinated from 33% to 58% of students. Overall, 41% of enrolled children were vaccinated. Elementary students were vaccinated at higher rates than older students. Administrative costs averaged $9.78 per dose delivered. School-based immunization programs offer the potential to achieve higher vaccination coverage of schoolchildren at modest cost.
Hull
Harry F
HF
HF Hull and Associates, 1140 St. Dennis Ct., Saint Paul, MN 55116, USA. hullhf@msn.com
Frauendienst
Renee S
RS
Gundersen
Margene L
ML
Monsen
Susan M
SM
Fishbein
Daniel B
DB
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics / Q000276:immunology*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008910:Minnesota; D012574:Schools; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics / Q000276:immunology
D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated