ATLANTA — Influenza vaccination rates remain low among children aged 6–23 months, despite a recommendation made 3 years ago by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices that children younger than age 2 years be vaccinated.
At the committee's fall meeting, Dr. Anthony Fiore reported that the latest data show complete coverage of only about 21% in the under-2 age group.
“We still have a long way to go,” said Dr. Fiore of the CDC.
The findings, which are from the 2007 National Immunization Survey and which are based on the 2006–2007 influenza season, were published recently in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Data emerging from the 2007–2008 season appear similar to those from 2006–2007, Dr. Fiore noted.
Because children younger than age 2 years are at the greatest risk for influenza-related hospitalizations, ACIP in 2002 encouraged vaccination of this population, and in 2004 strengthened that stand by recommending vaccination.
According to the MMWR report, 32% of children aged 6–23 months received one or more doses of vaccine during the 2006–2007 flu season, and only 21% were fully vaccinated.
Two doses given 4 weeks apart are recommended in children younger than age 9 years who are being vaccinated for the first time (MMWR 2008;57:1039–43).
Of note, there was substantial variability in vaccination coverage among states, according to the survey results.
For example, only about 9% of children were fully vaccinated in Mississippi, and nearly 48% were vaccinated in Rhode Island.
In most states, there was no significant increase in the percentage of children who were fully vaccinated, compared with the previous flu season.
“The findings underscore the need to increase interest in and access to influenza vaccination for more children in the United States.
Further study is needed to identify knowledge deficits or logistical barriers that might contribute to continued low influenza vaccination coverage among young children,” the article states.
Additionally, in an editorial note, the authors state that health care providers can help improve vaccination coverage among young children by routinely informing parents about “the substantial burden of influenza illness among young children and about the benefits and safety of preventing influenza with vaccination.”
Proven strategies for reducing missed opportunities for vaccination also include having standing orders to offer vaccine to all patients throughout the flu season, holding vaccination-only clinics, and using reminder/recall systems, they noted.