Influenza vaccination coverages among Spanish children, adults and health care workers

This study aimed at describing influenza vaccination coverage among Spanish children, adults and health care workers (HCWs). We analyzed 27,791 questionnaires on subjects aged 6 months or over, drawn from the 2003 Spanish National Health Survey. As the dependent variable, we took the answer to the question, "Did you (or your child) have a flu shot in the last campaign?". Independent variables were age group, gender, nationality, occupation (HCWs) and coexistence of chronic conditions. Overall influenza vaccination coverage for the total sample was 19.58%. Coverage for the pediatric population was 5.55%, with 20.74% of those with and 4.67% of those without chronic condition being vaccinated. Vaccination coverages were: 63.7% among subjects aged > or = 65 years; 30.5% among high-risk subjects aged < 65 years; and 19.65% among HCWs. We conclude that the available results show low levels of influenza vaccination coverage among high-risk subjects aged under 65 years, children in particular, and HCWs.