Overall, the NYU NICU-based flu shot program was highly successful. Dr. Shah and colleagues are hoping to do a follow-up to see if the program had any impact on the rate of influenza among the neonates. He cautioned, however, that the sample size may be too small to support any definitive conclusion.
This pilot program did, however, prove that flu shots can be effectively distributed in the NICU setting to parents who for a variety of reasons had not previously gotten immunized. The program created very little additional strain on NICU physicians or nursing staff.
“Administration of the trivalent vaccine is very possible in a busy NICU, and implementation markedly increased compliance with recommendations aimed at protecting high-risk neonates,” Dr. Shah told conference participants. “There will always be a small subset of parents who will refuse, no matter what. But we can get to many parents who are willing to take the shots.” He added that this type of program is highly replicable and could be quickly implemented in any family-centered NICU.