Giuseppe
Emeritus
[Source: Amercian Journal of Preventive Medicine, full text: (LINK). Abstract, edited.]
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Influenza Vaccine Delivery Delays from the Perspective of Primary Care Physicians
Sean T. O'Leary, MD (Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Aurora, Colorado, University of Colorado Denver, and the Children's Outcomes Research Program, Children's Hospital, Aurora, Colorado, Address correspondence to: Sean T. O'Leary, MD, 12477 E 19th Avenue, Building 406, Aurora CO 80045), Jennifer C. Barrow, MSPH (University of Colorado Denver, and the Children's Outcomes Research Program, Children's Hospital, Aurora, Colorado), Lon McQuillan, MD, MSPH (Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Aurora, Colorado, University of Colorado Denver, and the Children's Outcomes Research Program, Children's Hospital, Aurora, Colorado), Matthew F. Daley, MD (Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Aurora, Colorado, University of Colorado Denver, and the Children's Outcomes Research Program, Children's Hospital, Aurora, Colorado), Lori A. Crane, PhD, MPH (Colorado School of Public Health, Children's Hospital, Aurora, Colorado. University of Colorado Denver, and the Children's Outcomes Research Program, Children's Hospital, Aurora, Colorado), Brenda L. Beaty, MSPH (Colorado Health Outcomes Program, Children's Hospital, Aurora, Colorado), Christine I. Babbel, MSPH (University of Colorado Denver, and the Children's Outcomes Research Program, Children's Hospital, Aurora, Colorado), L. Miriam Dickinson, PhD (Department of Family Medicine, Children's Hospital, Aurora, Colorado), Allison Kempe, MD, MPH (Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Aurora, Colorado, Colorado School of Public Health, Children's Hospital, Aurora, Colorado, Colorado Health Outcomes Program, Children's Hospital, Aurora, Colorado, University of Colorado Denver, and the Children's Outcomes Research Program, Children's Hospital, Aurora, Colorado)
Background
The effects of delayed influenza vaccine delivery on primary practices are currently unknown.
Purpose
To describe, among primary care physicians nationally regarding the 2006?2007 influenza season:
(1) how physicians defined influenza vaccine delay; (2) the extent of reported vaccine delays; and (3) the perceived effects of vaccine delays.
Methods
Between March and June 2007, a total of 1268 primary care physicians nationally were surveyed.
Results
Survey response was 74% (n=940). The majority of physicians (79%) defined ?influenza vaccine delay? as not receiving vaccine by November 1. Fifty-three percent reported a vaccine delay. Providers reported the following as effects of delays: reduced satisfaction of patients or parents in the practice (72%); decreased percentage in their practice who received the vaccination (65%); disruption of scheduling influenza clinics (55%); increased referral of patients elsewhere for vaccination (55%); and negative financial impact caused by unused vaccine (46%). Those who reported experiencing delays more often reported not meeting demand for vaccine (adjusted risk ratio [ARR]=1.83, 95% CI=1.64, 2.07); that grocery stores, retail outlets, or pharmacies had vaccine before their practices did (ARR=1.82, 95% CI=1.53, 2.26); not receiving all vaccine that was ordered (ARR=1.19, 95% CI=1.06, 1.36); and having leftover vaccine (ARR=1.17, 95% CI=1.04, 1.32).
Conclusions
During the 2006?2007 influenza season, a non-shortage season, the majority of respondents reported experiencing an influenza vaccine delivery delay. Experiencing a delay was thought to decrease vaccination use, increase referrals elsewhere, and have a negative financial impact on practices. Delayed delivery of influenza vaccine is disruptive for primary care practices, and it consequently may affect vaccination coverage.
-Sean T. O'Leary, MD (Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Aurora, Colorado, University of Colorado Denver, and the Children's Outcomes Research Program, Children's Hospital, Aurora, Colorado, Address correspondence to: Sean T. O'Leary, MD, 12477 E 19th Avenue, Building 406, Aurora CO 80045), Jennifer C. Barrow, MSPH (University of Colorado Denver, and the Children's Outcomes Research Program, Children's Hospital, Aurora, Colorado), Lon McQuillan, MD, MSPH (Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Aurora, Colorado, University of Colorado Denver, and the Children's Outcomes Research Program, Children's Hospital, Aurora, Colorado), Matthew F. Daley, MD (Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Aurora, Colorado, University of Colorado Denver, and the Children's Outcomes Research Program, Children's Hospital, Aurora, Colorado), Lori A. Crane, PhD, MPH (Colorado School of Public Health, Children's Hospital, Aurora, Colorado. University of Colorado Denver, and the Children's Outcomes Research Program, Children's Hospital, Aurora, Colorado), Brenda L. Beaty, MSPH (Colorado Health Outcomes Program, Children's Hospital, Aurora, Colorado), Christine I. Babbel, MSPH (University of Colorado Denver, and the Children's Outcomes Research Program, Children's Hospital, Aurora, Colorado), L. Miriam Dickinson, PhD (Department of Family Medicine, Children's Hospital, Aurora, Colorado), Allison Kempe, MD, MPH (Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Aurora, Colorado, Colorado School of Public Health, Children's Hospital, Aurora, Colorado, Colorado Health Outcomes Program, Children's Hospital, Aurora, Colorado, University of Colorado Denver, and the Children's Outcomes Research Program, Children's Hospital, Aurora, Colorado)
Background
The effects of delayed influenza vaccine delivery on primary practices are currently unknown.
Purpose
To describe, among primary care physicians nationally regarding the 2006?2007 influenza season:
(1) how physicians defined influenza vaccine delay; (2) the extent of reported vaccine delays; and (3) the perceived effects of vaccine delays.
Methods
Between March and June 2007, a total of 1268 primary care physicians nationally were surveyed.
Results
Survey response was 74% (n=940). The majority of physicians (79%) defined ?influenza vaccine delay? as not receiving vaccine by November 1. Fifty-three percent reported a vaccine delay. Providers reported the following as effects of delays: reduced satisfaction of patients or parents in the practice (72%); decreased percentage in their practice who received the vaccination (65%); disruption of scheduling influenza clinics (55%); increased referral of patients elsewhere for vaccination (55%); and negative financial impact caused by unused vaccine (46%). Those who reported experiencing delays more often reported not meeting demand for vaccine (adjusted risk ratio [ARR]=1.83, 95% CI=1.64, 2.07); that grocery stores, retail outlets, or pharmacies had vaccine before their practices did (ARR=1.82, 95% CI=1.53, 2.26); not receiving all vaccine that was ordered (ARR=1.19, 95% CI=1.06, 1.36); and having leftover vaccine (ARR=1.17, 95% CI=1.04, 1.32).
Conclusions
During the 2006?2007 influenza season, a non-shortage season, the majority of respondents reported experiencing an influenza vaccine delivery delay. Experiencing a delay was thought to decrease vaccination use, increase referrals elsewhere, and have a negative financial impact on practices. Delayed delivery of influenza vaccine is disruptive for primary care practices, and it consequently may affect vaccination coverage.
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