Influenza vaccine coverage among healthy children and adolescents aged 0-18 years from outpatient clinics in Warsaw in 2004-2010

Background. Influenza is responsible for 10-40% acute respiratory tract infections with fever annually. Results of scientific research indicate that influenza is a serious clinical, epidemiological and economical problem of childhood. Objectives. The aim of the study was to establish the influenza vaccine coverage among children and teenagers aged 0-18 years in outpatient clinics in Warsaw in 2004-2010. Material and methods. The analysis of medical documentation (vaccination cards and vaccination reports) of 21 280 patients was conducted. Results. Number of pediatric patients vaccinated against influenza ranged from 166 to 472, and the proportion of vaccinated patients was from 0.8% (in 2008) to 3% (in 2005). 878 children required two doses of vaccination against influenza, but this recommendation was not realized by 73.2% of patients. In 44.1% of patients the vaccination against influenza was coadministrated with another vaccine, mainly against hepatitis A and Streptococcus pneumonia (polysaccharide vaccine). Conclusions. The influenza vaccine coverage among healthy children and teenagers aged 0-18 years was extremely low (< 3%). More effective educational activities are required to increase the influenza vaccine coverage in a pediatric population.