Influenza Vaccination Coverage Rates from 2006 to 2011 and the Influence of the H1N1 Pandemic on it in Austrian Children

Introduction

Influenza is a major respiratory tract infection that may cause substantial morbidity and mortality and leads to a large number of hospitalizations in children each year. Vaccination against the influenza virus is considered as an easily administered and safe preventive measure. The effectiveness of influenza vaccination has been demonstrated by clinical trials and observational studies in different populations (Fiore AE et al., MMWR 2007; 56: 1–54), but this vaccination is infrequently utilized in the pediatric population. 2 doses of inactivated vaccine are currently recommended for children less than 9 years of age who have not been previously vaccinated due to poor immune response after a single dose. Therefore, the recommendation in Austria is that every child older than 6 months should receive the influenza vaccination according to this recommendation unless there are known conditions that would be considered as a contraindication. Despite the presence of a safe and effective vaccine and long-standing recommendations to parents to provide annual influenza vaccination to their children, vaccination levels are still very low. In Austria, the vaccination against influenza is not free of charge. The pediatrician is the primary administer of influenza vaccination, and patients are usually vaccinated in primary-care health offices.

Examining vaccine use in community healthcare settings is necessary for determining a sufficient approach to improving the vaccination rate in Austria. To assess the vaccination trend in children, we analyzed data collected from the years 2006/07 until 2010/11. The vaccination rate was determined and specifically, the influence of the 2009 H1N1 season has been assessed. The objective of this study is to explore influenza vaccination coverage in 5 different seasons.