Adherence to expanded influenza immunization recommendations among primary care providers.
OBJECTIVE
To assess practices regarding the expanded Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations for influenza vaccination in children among US pediatricians and family medicine physicians (FMs) and strategies to promote vaccination.


METHODS
We administered a survey between July and October 2009 to 416 pediatricians and 424 FMs from nationally representative networks.


RESULTS
The response rate was 75% (79% pediatricians, 70% FMs). FMs were less likely than pediatricians to report adherence to ACIP recommendations (35% vs 65%; adjusted risk ratio [RR], 0.60; 95% CI, 0.50-0.72). Most physicians (89% pediatricians and 89% FMs) reported using posters or pamphlets to encourage influenza vaccination, and 57% pediatricians and 41% FMs reported offering after hours dedicated influenza vaccination clinics. Only 23% pediatricians and 14% FMs reported providing written, telephone, or e-mail reminders to all children. Having dedicated influenza vaccination clinics after hours or weekends was associated with routine vaccination of all children (adjusted RR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.15-1.57).


CONCLUSIONS
In the first year of the expanded ACIP recommendations to immunize all eligible children against influenza, two-thirds of pediatricians and one-half of FMs reported adherence, although less than one-quarter were actively engaging in reminder/recall efforts. Practices that adhered to the ACIP recommendations were more likely to put a substantial effort into promoting vaccination opportunities.
Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA. sean.oleary@ucdenver.edu
Sean T
ST
O'Leary
Lori A
LA
Crane
Pascale
P
Wortley
Matthew F
MF
Daley
Laura P
LP
Hurley
Fran
F
Dong
Shannon
S
Stokley
Christine I
CI
Babbel
Laura
L
Seewald
Claire
C
Gahm
L Miriam
LM
Dickinson
Allison
A
Kempe
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003625:Data Collection; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007223:Infant; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D010372:Pediatrics; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011365:Professional Practice Location
D007252:Influenza Vaccines