Variations in influenza vaccination coverage among the high-risk population in Sweden in 2003/4 and 2004/5: a population survey

Madelon W Kroneman,Gerrit A Van Essen

doi:10.1186/1471-2458-7-113

Abstract

BackgroundIn Sweden, the vaccination campaign is the individual responsibility of the counties, which results in different arrangements. The aim of this study was to find out whether influenza vaccination coverage rates (VCRs) had increased between 2003/4 and 2004/5 among population at high risk and to find out the influence of personal preferences, demographic characteristics and health care system characteristics on VCRs.MethodsAn average sample of 2500 persons was interviewed each season (2003/4 and 2004/5). The respondents were asked whether they had had an influenza vaccination, whether they suffered from chronic conditions and the reasons of non-vaccination. For every county the relevant health care system characteristics were collected via a questionnaire sent to the medical officers of communicable diseases.ResultsNo difference in VCR was found between the two seasons. Personal invitations strongly increased the chance of having had a vaccination. For the elderly, the number of different health care professionals in a region involved in administering vaccines decreased this chance.ConclusionSweden remained below the WHO-recommendations for population at high risk due to disease. To meet the 2010 WHO-recommendation further action may be necessary to increase vaccine uptake. Increasing the number of personal invitations and restricting the number of different administrators responsible for vaccination may be effective in increasing VCRs among the elderly.

Highlights

In Sweden, the vaccination campaign is the individual responsibility of the counties, which results in different arrangements
The same is the case for the vaccination coverage rates (VCRs) of the elderly compared with a national Swedish study [40]
As far as we know, no data are available on the prevalence of the relevant chronic conditions under the age of 65 in the total population

Summary

Introduction

In Sweden, the vaccination campaign is the individual responsibility of the counties, which results in different arrangements. The aim of this study was to find out whether influenza vaccination coverage rates (VCRs) had increased between 2003/4 and 2004/5 among population at high risk and to find out the influence of personal preferences, demographic characteristics and health care system characteristics on VCRs. Influenza continues to be a significant health risk for elderly persons and persons with chronic conditions (e.g. cardiovascular conditions, respiratory conditions, diabetes mellitus, renal failure, reduced resistance due to disease or treatment). All European countries have recommendations for influenza vaccination for these high risk groups [1]. WHO recommends that in 2006 50% of the high-risk population should be vaccinated, and that this rate should be increased to 75% in 2010. Despite relatively uniform recommendation policies, influenza vaccination coverage rates (VCRs) vary largely between different European countries [2,3].

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