To analyze influenza vaccination coverage for children and adolescents in the Bronx, New York, from 2017 to 2023.
Approach:
Study Design: Retrospective cohort study examining pediatric patients aged ≤18 years who received influenza vaccination from 2017-2018 to 2022-2023.
Data Collection: Used New York State Immunization Information System (NYSIIS) data for vaccinations given by any New York State health care professional.
Statistical Analysis: Employed modified Poisson regression models to estimate risk ratios for vaccination in each season compared to the 2017-2018 season.
Key Findings:
Influenza vaccination coverage increased from 2017-2018 to 2019-2020 but decreased by 12.9% from 2019-2020 to 2022-2023.
Coverage in 2022-2023 decreased 16% among 10- to 14-year-olds and 15% among 5- to 9-year-olds compared to 2017-2018.
Children using self-pay had 20% lower coverage and those on Medicaid had 12% lower coverage in 2022-2023 compared to 2017-2018.
Interpretation:
Influenza vaccination coverage among children and adolescents in the Bronx declined after 2019-2020, with decreases particularly evident among school-aged children and those with self-pay or Medicaid coverage. These patterns suggest that vaccination uptake did not return to earlier levels by 2022-2023.
Limitations:
Cohort primarily composed of publicly insured children in urban settings.
Single-center design may limit generalizability.
Influenza vaccinations received out of New York State were not included.
Conclusion:
Influenza vaccination coverage declined in the Bronx between 2019-2020 and 2022-2023. Efforts to improve and sustain vaccination uptake may be needed, particularly among groups with lower observed coverage.
