Seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccine: recommendations to families of at-risk children during the 2009-10 season.
We performed a study in three Italian regions to evaluate the association between provided recommendations and immunization uptake of the two influenza vaccines in children with chronic diseases. We interviewed families of 119 at-risk children, collecting information regarding recommendations and immunizations against pandemic and seasonal influenza. In total 60.5% of children had received seasonal influenza vaccine, 38.7% had received pandemic influenza vaccine and 33.6% had not been vaccinated. The majority of immunized children had received specific recommendations by a physician. Physicians involved in the management of children with chronic diseases should actively recommend influenza immunization.
Department of Paediatrics, Bambino Gesù Hospital, Rome, Italy.
Mariateresa
M
Romano
Elisabetta
E
Pandolfi
Maria Giulia
MG
Marino
Francesco
F
Gesualdo
Caterina
C
Rizzo
Emanuela
E
Carloni
Marina
M
Macchiaiolo
Alberto E
AE
Tozzi
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000276:immunology*; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D058873:Pandemics; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D007252:Influenza Vaccines