Influenza immunization coverage of children with sickle cell disease

Abstract

ObjectivesTo assess receipt of annual flu immunization among children living with sickle cell disease (SCD). MethodsReceipt of flu immunization (2014–2019) by SCD status was assessed among all Michigan children <18 years of age using the statewide immunization registry. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of annual flu immunization by SCD status and age. ResultsAnnual flu immunization coverage was higher among children with SCD (46.9%; n = 751) than without (23.2%; n = 2,012,846). The annual adjusted odds of flu immunization for those with SCD were 2.8 (95% CI: 2.5–3.1) times higher than for those without SCD; there were no significant differences by age among children with SCD. Among those without SCD, adolescents aged 13–17 were 2.2 (95% CI: 2.2–2.2) times less likely to receive annual flu immunization than children 6–35 months. ConclusionsChildren with SCD had higher annual flu immunization rates than those without SCD, but >50% remain unimmunized.