A recent study revealed that Influenza vaccine coverage among children aged 6 to 23 months in Ontario is low, despite a universal vaccination program and high primary care visit rates. By using hospital records, all infants born alive in Ontario hospitals from April 2002 through March 2008 were identified. Immunization status was ascertained by linkage to physician billing data and children were categorized as fully, partially, or not immunized depending on the number and timing of vaccines administered. Influenza immunization was low for the first influenza season of the study period (1% fully immunized during the 2002-2003 season), increased for the following three seasons (7% to 9%), but then declined (4% to 6% fully immunized during the 2006-2007 to 2008-2009 seasons). Maternal influenza immunization, having a pediatrician as the primary care practitioner, high visit rates, and better continuity of care were all significantly associated with full immunization. The authors concluded that interventions to improve coverage should target both physicians and families. Pediatrics. 2012 Jun;129(6):e1421-30. PMID: 22585770
