title: The effect of universal influenza immunization on antibiotic prescriptions: an ecological study.
abstract: The Canadian province of Ontario introduced universal influenza immunization in 2000, offering free vaccines to the entire population. We compared changes in rates of influenza-associated respiratory antibiotic prescriptions before and after universal immunization in Ontario with corresponding changes in other provinces. Universal influenza immunization is associated with reduced influenza-associated antibiotic prescriptions.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, University of Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Jeffrey C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Kwong
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maaten
authors.forename: Ross E G
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Upshur
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Patrick
authors.forename: Fawziah
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marra
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D004363:Drug Utilization; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D032541:Mass Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009864:Ontario; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D055553:Prescription Drugs