Influenza vaccination coverage rate among high-risk children during the 2002-2003 influenza season

Background Influenza vaccination is the primary method for preventing influenza and its complications. Characteristics of influenza vaccination coverage among high-risk children (HRC) during the 2002-2003 influenza season are described. Methods Children aged 1 to 17 years continuously enrolled in private health insurance plans during the 2002-2003 influenza season and entered in MarketScan paid claims databases were included. Children were partitioned into 2 groups: high-risk children and nonhigh-risk children (non-HRC) based on their diagnosis history since 1998. The influenza vaccination coverage rates of both groups during the 2002-2003 influenza season were assessed by demographic, child, and provider-related variables. Results The influenza vaccination coverage rate was 4.63% among all sampled children. Overall, influenza vaccination coverage rates were higher among HRC (11.74%) than non-HRC (3.31%). Among children ages 12 to 23 months, HRC had lower coverage than non-HRC, but, from age 2 years onward, HRC consistently had higher coverage than non-HRC. Influenza vaccination coverage varied by geographic area, with higher coverage among children living within metropolitan areas and in the Western and the Northeast regions of the United States. Children receiving vaccination under a comprehensive insurance plan had significantly lower coverage than children served by all other plan types. Conclusion Influenza vaccination coverage during the 2002-2003 influenza season was very low among all children, leaving many children at risk for influenza and influenza-related complications. Coverage was influenced by child age, insurance plan type, and area of residence.