Comprehensive immunization delivery in conjunction with influenza vaccination

Abstract

All patients and employees presenting for influenza A and B vaccination were studied for the need for other immunizations or tests, based on criteria of the Immunization Practices Advisory Committee. More than 72% of patients and employees needed at least one other vaccine or test. During a 4 1/2-month period, 1,353 doses of influenza virus vaccine, bivalent, types A and B, were prescribed. Health care providers ordered doses of diphtheria and tetanus toxoids (adult) for 36.8% of these recipients, pneumococcal vaccine, polyvalent 23, for 42.1%, and a tuberculin skin test for 36.3%. Determinations of hepatitis B titers or hepatitis B vaccine doses were ordered for 140 individuals. Patients older than 60 years needed additional immunizations with greater frequency. Rates of delayed adverse reactions (35.9%) and subsequent self-medication (11.7%) were recorded. The systemic adverse reaction rate was 17.3%. Annual influenza vaccination programs are valuable public health opportunities to determine immunizations needed by patients who might not otherwise receive a comprehensive, individualized review of the status of their immunization protection.