Wiggs-Stayner Kathleen S, Purdy Teresa R, Go Gailya N, McLaughlin Natalie C, Tryzynka Penny S, Sines Joyce R, Hlaing Thein
Community Nursing, Pediatrics, Pediatric Intensive Care, Pediatric Specialty Clinics, Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne, IN, USA.
J Sch Nurs. 2006 Aug;22(4):219-22. doi: 10.1177/10598405050220040601.
The purpose of this study was to assess the impact a free, on-site influenza immunization program could have on attendance in Title 1 schools. Four Title 1 elementary schools participated in the study. Students at 2 schools were offered free FluMist immunizations on site, and students at 2 control schools were not. Compliance on receiving FluMist was measured on the percentage of students participating after evaluating for medical exclusions. Documentation on the reason for absences at all 4 schools included self- or parent-reported influenza. Attendance rates for the year also were compared with the previous year for all 4 schools. A comparison was done of total days absent versus total days enrolled between schools receiving FluMist and schools not receiving the vaccine. Despite the fact that FluMist is a new vaccine and is not required for children, 57% of those medically eligible to receive it had parental permission and received the vaccine. The 2 schools receiving FluMist increased their attendance rates from 95.3% and 93.9% to 96.1% and 95.8%. Previously, the comparison schools each had a 94.6% attendance rate; one fell to 94.4% and the other rose very slightly to 94.7%. The differences in self- or parent-reported influenza absences were not significant. However, the difference in days absent between individual vaccinated and nonvaccinated schools was statistically significant.
