Influenza vaccination.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This article compares influenza vaccination rates in 1996/97 and 2000/01 and describes the characteristics of adults who were vaccinated. DATA SOURCES: The data on influenza vaccination are from the 1996/97 National Population Health Survey and the 2000/01 Canadian Community Health Survey, both conducted by Statistics Canada. Data on hospitalizations and deaths are from the Hospital Mortality Data Base and the Canadian Mortality Data Base, respectively. ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES: Cross-tabulations were used to estimate rates of vaccination among seniors, people with chronic conditions, and the total population aged 20 or older. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess relationships between being vaccinated and selected characteristics. MAIN RESULTS: Between 1996/97 and 2000/01, the percentage of Canadians aged 20 or older who reported having had a flu shot the previous year rose from 16% to 28%. Rates were higher for seniors and people with chronic conditions. The odds of vaccination were high for residents of middle-to-high income households, people with at least some postsecondary education, former smokers, and people with a regular doctor. Smokers and people who reported their health as good to excellent had lower odds of being vaccinated.