Influenza vaccine-related information needs of US primary care physicians.

OBJECTIVE

To explore influenza-related information needs of primary care providers, given expanded influenza vaccine recommendations and new influenza vaccine products.

METHODS

A cross-sectional, mailed survey of a national sample of primary care physicians (family physicians, general internists, pediatricians), conducted in July-October 2010. The overall response rate was 70%.

RESULTS

Among respondents who offer immunizations, almost all expected to provide injectable influenza vaccine for the 2010-11 influenza season, while only pediatricians planned wide use of intranasal vaccine. The information needs most frequently rated as high priority were subpopulations to prioritize if vaccine supply is limited and use of a higher dose formulation for the elderly. Most physicians who do not currently use intranasal vaccine rated that topic as a low priority.

CONCLUSION

Primary care providers have a number of high-priority information needs related to influenza vaccination. However, the limited interest of family physicians and internists in receiving more information about intranasal vaccine may impede efforts to expand its use among healthy adults.