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The impact of the 2004-2005 influenza vaccine shortage in the Veterans Health Administration
Kahwati, L. C., Elter, J. R., Straits-Tröster, K. A., Kinsinger, L. S., & Davey, V. J. (2007). The impact of the 2004-2005 influenza vaccine shortage in the Veterans Health Administration. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 22(8), 1132-1138. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-007-0249-6
BACKGROUND: The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) serves a population at high risk of influenza-related morbidity and mortality. The national public health response to the vaccine shortage of the 2004-2005 season resulted in prioritization of recipients and redistribution of available supply.
OBJECTIVE: To characterize the impact of the 2004-2005 influenza vaccine shortage on vaccination among users of VHA facilities.
DESIGN: Analysis using data from the cross-sectional VHA Survey of Healthcare Experiences of Patients.
PARTICIPANTS: Outpatients seen in VHA clinics during the months September 2004-March 2005.
MEASUREMENTS: Sociodemographics, vaccination prevalence, setting of vaccination, and reasons cited for not getting vaccinated.
RESULTS: Influenza vaccination prevalence among VHA outpatients aged 50-64 was 56% and for those aged > or = 65 was 86%. Compared to the 2 previous seasons, this estimate was lower for patients age 50-64 but similar for patients > or = 65. After adjustment for patient characteristics, unvaccinated patients aged 50-64 were 8.3 (95% CI 6.0, 11.4) times as likely to cite that they were told they were not eligible for vaccination because of the national shortage compared to patients > or = 65. Regional VHA variation in vaccination receipt and shortage-related reasons for nonvaccination was small.
CONCLUSIONS: The national influenza vaccine shortage of 2004-2005 primarily affected VHA users aged 50-64, consistent with the tiered prioritization guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Despite the shortage, vaccination prevalence among VHA users > or = 65 remained high.
