Influenza vaccination coverage in patients treated with chemotherapy: current clinical practice.
BACKGROUND
Influenza virus vaccination is recommended for patients treated with chemotherapy. Little is known about vaccination coverage in these patients.


METHODS
Vaccination coverage in the Netherlands was analysed by questionnaires completed by general practitioners, within a catchment area of 1.3 million people, in the period 2010-2011.


RESULTS
Of 433 eligible adult patients treated with chemotherapy for breast or colorectal cancer, 144 patients gave permission for us to approach their general practitioner with a questionnaire. General practitioners were asked about vaccination coverage, awareness of recommendations and their opinion about the responsibility for vaccination. We received 114 (79%) completed questionnaires. Sixty-seven out of 114 patients (59%) were vaccinated against influenza. Forty-four (66%) of these patients also had an indication for vaccination based on age (age ≥60 years). According to 48% of the general practitioners, the responsibility for vaccination belongs to the competence of the treating medical oncologist.


CONCLUSIONS
Influenza vaccination coverage is limited to 59% of patients treated with chemotherapy. Guidelines for responsibility (general practitioner or medical oncologist) may increase the vaccination rate of cancer patients.
Department of Internal Medicine, Tergooi Hospitals Hilversum, the Netherlands.
M L
ML
Wumkes
A M T
AM
van der Velden
A W G
AW
van der Velden
J M L
JM
Stouthard
M R
MR
Nijziel
M
M
Westerman
A
A
Beeker
A
A
Meerveld-Eggink
G T
GT
Rijkers
D H
DH
Biesma
D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007252:Influenza Vaccines