Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #108955

Jeannine S. Schiller, MPH, John R. Pleis, MS, Patricia Adams, and Eve Powell-Griner, PhD. Division of Health Interview Statistics, National Center for Health Statistics, 3311 Toledo Rd., Room 2334, Hyattsville, MD 20782, 301 458 4470, jdv2@cdc.gov

Objectives: This study examines responses to a new question on the National Center for Health Statistic's National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) about receiving influenza vaccinations via nasal spray and a standard question about flu vaccinations administered by injection. Methods: Data from quarter four of the 2003 NHIS and quarters one and two of the 2004 NHIS were analyzed using SUDAAN software. Adults were asked if they had received a flu vaccination by injection from a doctor or health professional during the past 12 months. Adults were asked a separate question regarding receiving a nasal spray flu vaccination during the past 12 months. Results: Analyses revealed that for the three quarters analyzed, 0.8% of adults reported receiving a nasal spray flu vaccination during the past 12 months. There was not a significant difference in percentages of adults receiving flu vaccination by nasal spray across the three quarters analyzed. Conclusions: Early analyses of these data raise interesting questions about flu vaccination reported by NHIS respondents. A large percentage of adults who reported receiving a nasal spray flu vaccination also reported receiving a flu shot during the same 12 month period. A possible explanation for this is that respondents are confusing non-vaccination nasal sprays with the flu vaccination. More than half of adults who reported receiving a nasal spray flu vaccination were over the age recommended (5-49 years) by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Questions to address these issues have been added to the 2005 NHIS to allow for further analysis.

Learning Objectives:

• To determine the number of U.S. adults who receive flu vaccinations.
• To examine responses to a new question on the National Health Interview Survey regarding receiving a flu vaccination via nasal spray.
• To identify characteristics of adults who receive flu vaccinations.

Keywords: Immunizations, Survey

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.