title: Predictors of universal influenza vaccination uptake in grades 1 and 2 Toronto school children: effective vaccination strategies should not end with at risk children.
abstract: The first population-based survey to determine predictors of influenza vaccination among children in a major metropolitan city with access to publicly funded health care and a universal influenza immunization program (UIIP). Previously collected demographic and health related data from 5619 school children aged 5-9 in Toronto, in 2006 were used to predict influenza vaccination. Vaccination was more likely in children with current asthma (OR 1.44, 95%CL 1.19-1.75), a high volume of contacts with a health service provider (OR 1.37, 95%CL 1.14-1.65), foreign born children (OR 1.20, 95%CL 1.01-1.42) and those with the lowest income adequacy (OR 1.37, 95%CL 1.12-1.68). Data from this study will be helpful in designing future influenza vaccination strategies to improve vaccination rates in the entire population.
authors.affiliation: Child Health Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. richard.foty@sickkids.ca
authors.forename: Richard G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Foty
authors.forename: Astrid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guttmann
authors.forename: Jeffrey C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Kwong
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maaten
authors.forename: Doug
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Manuel
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Stieb
authors.forename: Sharon D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Dell
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D009864:Ontario; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines