Influenza Vaccination Coverage in Europe (2001-2007)
Author Information
Author(s): Patricia R Blank, Matthias Schwenkglenks, Thomas D Szucs
Primary Institution: Institute of Social- and Preventive Medicine, University of Zurich
Hypothesis
What are the trends in influenza vaccination coverage rates in five European countries over six seasons?
Conclusion
Influenza vaccination coverage rates in the UK, Germany, and Spain dropped slightly in the 2006/07 season, but a general trend of increasing coverage was observed from 2001 to 2007.
Supporting Evidence
- Vaccination coverage was 25.0% in the UK and 27.4% in Germany during the 2006/07 season.
- The family doctor was the major source of encouragement for vaccination.
- 36% of individuals cited feeling unlikely to catch the flu as a reason for not getting vaccinated.
Takeaway
This study looked at how many people in five European countries got the flu shot over several years, finding that more people are getting vaccinated, but some countries still need to do better.
Methodology
Representative household surveys were conducted with telephone or mailed interviews of individuals aged 14 and above across five countries.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to self-reported vaccination status and varying methodologies across countries.
Limitations
The survey did not include mobile-only users and had varying response rates across countries.
Participant Demographics
Participants were aged 14 and above, with a representative sample from the non-institutionalized population in each country.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p = 0.012
Confidence Interval
(95% CI: 44.1; 45.8)
Statistical Significance
p ≤ 0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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