nfluenza Vaccination among Pancreas-Kidney (KP) Transplant (Tx) Recipients: A Single-Center Qualitative Study of Utilization and Knowledge
Session VI – Ison, Mike Abstract 1 of 3
Title of Contribution: Influenza Vaccination among Pancreas-Kidney (KP) Transplant (Tx) Recipients: A Single-Center Qualitative Study of Utilization and Knowledge
Author(s): Kenzie A. Cameron, PhD MPH1,3, Dixon B. Kaufman, MD PhD2, Christopher S. Lyttle, MA3, Michael G. Ison, MD MS2,4
Affiliation(s): 1Center for Communication in Healthcare, Division of General Internal Medicine, 2Division of Organ Transplantation, 3Institute for Healthcare Studies, 4Division of Infectious Diseases, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
Abstract:
Background: Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all transplant recipients and their caretakers. Low compliance with these recommendations is common in this population. We undertook a qualitative study to understand the knowledge, attitudes, and influenza vaccination behavior among KP tx recipients.
Methods: Following receipt of an informational letter, a telephone survey was conducted to (1) gather baseline data regarding influenza vaccination from kidney/pancreatic transplant recipients and their household contacts, (2) assess the effect of a physician recommendation letter on vaccination uptake, and to (3) learn common facilitators and barriers to influenza vaccination among recent kidney/pancreatic transplant recipients.
Results: Of the 128 KP tx recipients reached by phone, 120 agreed to be interviewed. Respondents were a median of 48 yo, 60% male, and 87% Caucasian; 86% had others in the household. 52% said they had been vaccinated while only 29% indicated that all household contacts were vaccinated. Of those who were vaccinated, 41% and 36% were vaccinated before and after receipt of the letter, respectively. Most received their vaccine in a physician’s office and most did so because they were transplant patients (37%) or it was recommended by a physician (35%). Similarly, the leading reasons for not getting vaccinated were that they were a transplant patient (40%), that a physician told them not to get vaccinated (16%) and that they routinely do not get an influenza vaccine (16%).
Conclusions: Influenza vaccination rates remain poor in this population and patients are misinformed about the need for annual influenza vaccination. Further studies are needed to determine if informational letters increase the compliance with annual flu vaccination.
