Dataset Information

Effectiveness of an intervention to overcome influenza vaccine hesitancy in specialty clinic patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Individuals on immunosuppressive therapies experience greater morbidity and mortality due to vaccine-preventable illnesses, but there are low rates of adherence to immunization guidelines within this population.

Objective

To determine the effectiveness of clinician-led education, patient-centered dialogue, and immediately available immunization on influenza vaccination uptake in patients taking immunosuppressive therapies.

Method

We used a controlled before-and-after quasi-experimental design to evaluate our quality improvement intervention occurring from September 2019 to March 2020, with follow-up through July 2020. The study included 2 dermatology practices wherein nursing staff offered influenza vaccination during patient rooming (standard care). Within each practice, clinicians either implemented the intervention or provided only standard care. Patients received the intervention or standard care depending on the clinician they visited. Patients seen at the 2 clinics during the intervention period were included in analyses if they were taking or newly prescribed immunosuppressant medication at the time of their visit. We examined influenza immunization status for 3 flu seasons: 2017-2018 (preintervention), 2018-2019 (preintervention), and 2019-2020 (intervention).

Intervention

Immunosuppressed patients initially declining an influenza vaccine were provided dermatologist-led education on the benefits of immunization. Dermatologists explored and addressed individual patients' immunization concerns. Influenza vaccination was then offered immediately postdialogue.

Results

Analyses included 201 dermatology patients who were prescribed or currently taking immunosuppressive medication (intervention group [72.6%], comparison group [27.4%]). During the intervention period, 91.1% of the intervention group received influenza vaccination compared to 56.4% of the comparison group. Vaccination trends from 2018-2019 (preintervention) to 2019-2020 (intervention) differed significantly between groups (χ2 = 22.92, P < .001), with greater improvement in the intervention group. In 2019-2020, influenza vaccination was more likely in the intervention group relative to the comparison group (odds ratio: 16.22, 95% confidence interval: 5.55-47.38). In the subset of patients that had never received an influenza vaccine, influenza immunization in 2019-2020 was more common in the intervention group (75.8%, 25/33) relative to the comparison group (13.3%, 2/15, P < .001).

Conclusion

The intervention successfully addressed vaccine hesitancy and improved influenza immunization rates in an immunosuppressed population receiving care from a specialty clinic. Implementing a similar model across specialty clinics may improve vaccination rates for influenza, coronavirus disease 2019, and other vaccine-preventable illnesses in other populations.

SUBMITTER: Webb NJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9333474 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Effectiveness of an intervention to overcome influenza vaccine hesitancy in specialty clinic patients.

Webb Nathaniel J NJ Lindsley Joshua J Stockbridge Erica L EL Workman Ashleigh A Reynolds Conner D CD Miller Thaddeus L TL Charles Jean J Carletti Michael M Casperson Stefanie S Weis Stephen S

Medicine 20220729 30

<h4>Background</h4>Individuals on immunosuppressive therapies experience greater morbidity and mortality due to vaccine-preventable illnesses, but there are low rates of adherence to immunization guidelines within this population.<h4>Objective</h4>To determine the effectiveness of clinician-led education, patient-centered dialogue, and immediately available immunization on influenza vaccination uptake in patients taking immunosuppressive therapies.<h4>Method</h4>We used a controlled before-and-a ...[more]

PMID: 35905271

Similar Datasets

Project description:ImportanceIncreasing the understanding of vaccine effectiveness (VE) against levels of severe influenza in children could help increase uptake of influenza vaccination and strengthen vaccine policies globally.ObjectiveTo investigate VE in children by severity of influenza illness.Design, setting, and participantsThis case-control study with a test-negative design used data from 8 participating medical centers located in geographically different US states in the New Vaccine Surveillance Network from November 6, 2015, through April 8, 2020. Participants included children 6 months through 17 years of age who were hospitalized or presented to an emergency department (ED) with acute respiratory illness.ExposuresReceipt of at least 1 dose of the current season's influenza vaccine.Main outcomes and measuresDemographic and clinical characteristics of patients presenting to the hospital or ED with or without influenza were recorded and grouped by influenza vaccination status. Estimated VE against severe influenza illness was calculated using multiple measures to capture illness severity. Data were analyzed between June 1, 2022, and September 30, 2023.ResultsAmong 15 728 children presenting for care with acute respiratory illness (8708 [55.4%] male; 13 450 [85.5%] 6 months to 8 years of age and 2278 [14.5%] 9-17 years of age), 2710 (17.2%) had positive influenza tests and 13 018 (82.8%) had negative influenza tests (controls). Of the influenza test-positive cases, 1676 children (61.8%) had an ED visit, 896 children (33.1%) required hospitalization for noncritical influenza, and 138 children (5.1%) required hospitalization for critical influenza. About half (7779 [49.5%]) of the children (both influenza test positive and test negative) were vaccinated. Receiving at least 1 influenza vaccine dose was estimated to have a VE of 55.7% (95% CI, 51.6%-59.6%) for preventing influenza-associated ED visits or hospitalizations among children of all ages. The estimated VE was similar across severity levels: 52.8% (95% CI, 46.6%-58.3%) for ED visits, 52.3% (95% CI, 44.8%-58.8%) for noncritical hospitalization, and 50.4% (95% CI, 29.7%-65.3%) for critical hospitalization.Conclusions and relevanceFindings from this case-control study with a test-negative design involving children with a spectrum of influenza severity suggest that influenza vaccination protects children against all levels of severe influenza illness.

Dataset Information

Effectiveness of an intervention to overcome influenza vaccine hesitancy in specialty clinic patients.

Background

Objective

Method

Intervention

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Effectiveness of an intervention to overcome influenza vaccine hesitancy in specialty clinic patients.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets