Title
Increasing influenza vaccination rates for Medicare
beneficiaries--Montana and Wyoming, 1994.
Author
Anonymous
Source
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep, 1995 Oct 13, 44:40, 744-6
Abstract
Approximately 20,000 influenza-associated deaths occurred during
each of 10 different epidemics in the United States during
1972-1991; most (> 90%) of the deaths attributed to pneumonia and
influenza occurred among persons aged > or = 65 years. Although
Medicare has provided reimbursement for influenza vaccination
since 1993, the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA)
received billing claims for influenza vaccination for the 1993-94
and 1994-95 influenza seasons for only 35% and 38% of Medicare
beneficiaries, respectively (HCFA, unpublished data, 1995). This
report describes the impact of an intervention project in September
1994 in which individual Medicare beneficiaries aged > or = 65 years
in Montana and Wyoming were contacted and encouraged to receive
influenza vaccination.
Language of Publication
LA=ENG
title
The effect of influenza vaccination on IL2 production in healthy
elderly: implications for current vaccination practices.
Author
McElhaney JE; Meneilly GS; Beattie BL; Helgason CD; Lee SF; Devine
RD; Bleackley RC
Address
University of Alberta, Edmonton.
Source
J Gerontol, 1992 Jan, 47:1, M3-8
Abstract
Age-related senescence of T-cell mediated responses is well
recognized. This study was designed to determine how aging affects
the T-cell mediated Interleukin 2 (IL2) response to influenza
vaccination. A group of healthy elderly individuals were compared to
a control group of healthy young adults for their response to the
1990 influenza vaccine. Cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear
cells (PBMC) were prepared from venous blood samples taken
prevaccination (pre) and 8 and 12 weeks post-vaccination (post).
PBMC cultures stimulated with inactivated A/Shanghai/16/89
(contained in the 1990 vaccine) and A/Philippine/2/82 (not
contained in the vaccine) were assayed for peak IL2 activity. We
find that after influenza vaccination, there was an insignificant
increase in IL2 activity when PBMC from the young control group
were stimulated with A/Shanghai/16/89 (pre, 5.14 U/mL/10(6)
PBMC; post, 6.64 U/mL/10(6) PBMC) but there was a significant
increase in IL2 activity when stimulated with A/Phillippine/2/82
(pre, 1.5 U/mL/10(6) PBMC; post, 8.3 U/mL/10(6) PBMC). In similar
cultures of PBMC from the elderly group, there was a significant
increase in IL2 response to both A/Shanghai/16/89 (pre, 1.6
U/mL/10(6) PBMC; post, 3.5 U/mL/10(6) PBMC) and
A/Philippine/2/82 (pre, 0.86 U/mL/10(6) PBMC; post, 8.3
U/mL/10(6) PBMC). Measurements of CD4+/CD8+ populations were
not affected by vaccination and were not significantly different in
the two groups. Subgroup analysis of the elderly group revealed that
previous influenza vaccination in 1989 did not significantly affect
IL2 levels measured in the present study. This study shows that in
healthy elderly, influenza vaccination effectively restores IL2
activity to normal. There appears to be an age-related decrease in
the duration of T-cell memory.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250
WORDS)
Language of Publication
LA=ENG
Title
Parenteral influenza vaccination induces a rapid systemic and local
immune response [see comments]
Author
Brokstad KA; Cox RJ; Olofsson J; Jonsson R; Haaheim LR
Address
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Gade Institute,
University of Bergen, Norway.
Source
J Infect Dis, 1995 Jan, 171:1, 198-203
Abstract
The kinetics of the local immune response in the upper respiratory
tract to parenterally administered inactivated split trivalent
influenza vaccine were examined in 19 healthy subjects. Influenza
virus-specific antibody-secreting cells (ASC) could be detected as
early as 2 days after vaccination in peripheral blood and tonsils,
with a peak at approximately 1 week after vaccination and a decline
to insignificant levels after 6 weeks. Circulating ASC produced IgG,
IgA, and IgM, whereas ASC in tonsils produced mainly IgA and IgM.
Influenza virus-specific antibodies were predominantly IgG and IgM
in serum and IgA in oral fluid; they rose after 1 week and were
elevated at 6 weeks. This may indicate a secretory involvement of
the anti-influenza virus response in the upper respiratory tract.
Parenteral influenza vaccination induced an immediate and
significant immune response in both the upper respiratory tract and
peripheral blood.
Language of Publication
LA=ENG
Title
Factors affecting influenza vaccination among attendees at a senior
center.
Author
Gianino CA; Corazzini K; Tseng WT; Richardson JP
Source
Md Med J, 1996 Jan, 45:1, 27-32
Abstract
Influenza is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the
elderly. We questioned attendees at a Baltimore County senior
center that offered influenza vaccination about the factors that
influenced their decision to receive vaccination. Of the 43
responders, 37 (86%) stated they already had received vaccination
in 1994 or were planning to be vaccinated. Vaccinated seniors were
more likely than nonvaccinated seniors to believe that they were
susceptible to influenza and they were more likely to have had
influenza vaccination recommended to them by their physician.
Vaccinated seniors also were more knowledgeable about the
influenza vaccine. Physician recommendation appears to be an
important factor in the decision by seniors to receive influenza
vaccination.
Language of Publication
LA=ENG
Title
[Influenza vaccine in 85-and-over aged: motivation of elderly and
family physicians to vaccinate or not]
Author
van Haaren KM; van den Brande KJ; Dekker FW; Ligthart GJ; Springer
MP
Address
Vakgroep Huisartsgeneeskunde, Rijksuniversiteit, Leiden.
Source
Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd, 1995 Oct 21, 139:42, 2144-8
Abstract
OBJECTIVE. To determine on what grounds persons over 85 years are
or are not vaccinated against influenza. DESIGN. Descriptive.
SETTING. Gerontological Research Centre and Department of General
Practice Medicine, University of Leiden, the Netherlands. METHOD. A
random sample (n = 331) of the general population of Leiden aged 85
years or older and not institutionalized were interviewed. Early in
October 1993, 163 interviews were suitable for analysis (response
rate 54%). An analysis of non-responders revealed no significant
difference as regards gender and housing, but persons aged 90 and
older were under-represented. The general practitioners (n = 41) of
the 163 elderly persons were interviewed about these persons
(response: n = 127; 78%) and about influenza vaccination in general
(response: n = 33; 82%). RESULTS. The vaccination coverage rates
were 51% according to the elderly and 56% according to the GPs;
those of elderly people with an indication (48% according to
themselves and 64% according to the GP) 52% and 67%, respectively.
Reasons for elderly people not to accept vaccination were that they
considered vaccination unnecessary, that they felt well and wanted
to avoid possible adverse effects. A doctor's recommendation to
have vaccination done was a positive influence. GPs' motives not to
vaccinate were absence of an indication and the elderly person's
wish. CONCLUSION. Only two-thirds of those over 85 not living in a
nursing home with an indication for influenza vaccination were
indeed vaccinated. Information about the possible damage done by
influenza and about the pros and cons of vaccination, together with
a doctor's advice to be vaccinated appeared to have a positive effect
on the vaccination coverage.
Language of Publication
LA=DUT