Adults with asthma not getting their flu shotsJune 22, 2009At-risk population under-vaccinated Because of increased risk of complications from influenza, vaccination of adults and children with asthma is recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The Healthy People 2010 Objectives call for annual influenza vaccination of at least 60% of adults aged 18-64 years with asthma. However, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) investigators have determined that the vaccination levels among asthma sufferers falls well short of this guideline. The results of their study are published in the August 2009 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) has been in use since 1984 and collects state-specific data from random telephone surveys of US adults. This study analyzed the responses of 173,572 adults aged 18-64 years and found that 8.4% had asthma. In the 2006-2007 influenza season, vaccination estimates ranged from 26.9% in California to 53.3% in Tennessee with a median across all states of 43.1%. Influenza vaccination coverage was 33.9% for adults aged 18-49 years with asthma compared to 54.7% for adults aged 50-64 years with asthma. Among people aged 18-64 years without asthma, vaccination coverage was 28.8%. In addition, the researchers found a race/ethnicity gap of 8 to 10 percentage points between levels among non-Hispanic whites compared to levels among non-Hispanic blacks or Hispanics, despite adjustments for a set of socio-demographic and access-to-care variables. Lead investigator Peng-jun Lu, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC, and co-investigators advise, "The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program identified influenza vaccination as one of several 'key clinical activities that should be considered as essential for quality asthma care.' The panel included influenza vaccination among the 'core set of 10 key clinical activities' to reducing asthma morbidity and mortality-. To further improve vaccination coverage among people with asthma, providers should address barriers to delivery and acceptance of influenza vaccination among those with high-risk conditions, including asthma. Providers should also be encouraged to use evidence-based immunization strategies (such as standing orders, patient reminder/recall, provider reminder, provider assessment and feedback); screen for asthma or other high-risk conditions; and routinely offer influenza vaccination." Elsevier Health Sciences |
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| Related Vaccination Current Events and Vaccination News Articles Worksite wellness programs may reduce employee absenteeism Emory University Rollins School of Public Health researchers will present Nov. 11 on a range of topics at the American Public Health Association's annual meeting in Philadelphia, including a study that found reduced absenteeism among employees participating in a large-scale worksite wellness program. Poll: Many parents, high-priority adults who tried to get H1N1 vaccine unable to get it A new national poll from Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) researchers found that a majority of adults who tried to get the H1N1 vaccine for themselves or their children have been unable to do so. When should flu trigger a school shutdown? As flu season approaches, parents around the country are starting to face school closures. But how bad should an influenza outbreak be for a school to shut down? Common Pain Relievers May Dilute Power of Flu Shots With flu vaccination season in full swing, research from the University of Rochester Medical Center cautions that use of many common pain killers - Advil, Tylenol, aspirin - at the time of injection may blunt the effect of the shot and have a negative effect on the immune system. Initial Results Show Pregnant Women Mount Strong Immune Response To One Dose of 2009 H1N1 Flu Vaccine Healthy pregnant women mount a robust immune response following just one dose of 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine, according to initial results from an ongoing clinical trial sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health. Flu vaccine given to women during pregnancy keeps infants out of the hospital Infants born to women who received influenza vaccine during pregnancy were hospitalized at a lower rate than infants born to unvaccinated mothers. Progress made on group B streptococcus vaccine Scientists supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, have completed a Phase II clinical study that indicates a vaccine to prevent Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection is possible. Pandemic flu vaccine campaigns may be undermined by coincidental medical events The effectiveness of pandemic flu vaccination campaigns - like that now underway for H1N1 - could be undermined by the public incorrectly associating coincidental and unrelated health events with the vaccines. Lessons from flu seasons past Pregnant women who catch the flu are at serious risk for flu-related complications, including death, and that risk far outweighs the risk of possible side effects from injectable vaccines containing killed virus, according to an extensive review of published research and data from previous flu seasons. Swine flu vaccine must be free and safe for high uptake Almost half of adults surveyed in Summer 2009 in Hong Kong (45%) say they would take up free swine flu vaccination. More Vaccination Current Events and Vaccination News Articles |
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