School-located Influenza Vaccinations for Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-2018

Identifier

DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2017.09.021

Abstract

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the effect of school-located influenza vaccination (SLIV) on adolescents' influenza vaccination rates.

METHODS: In 2015-2016, we performed a cluster-randomized trial of adolescent SLIV in middle/high schools. We selected 10 pairs of schools (identical grades within pairs) and randomly allocated schools within pairs to SLIV or usual care control. At eight suburban SLIV schools, we sent parents e-mail notifications about upcoming SLIV clinics and promoted online immunization consent. At two urban SLIV schools, we sent parents (via student backpack fliers) paper immunization consent forms and information about SLIV. E-mails were unavailable at these schools. Local health department nurses administered nasal or injectable influenza vaccine at dedicated SLIV clinics and billed insurers. We compared influenza vaccination rates at SLIV versus control schools using school directories to identify the student sample in each school. We used the state immunization registry to determine receipt of influenza vaccination.

RESULTS: The final sample comprised 17,650 students enrolled in the 20 schools. Adolescents at suburban SLIV schools had higher overall influenza vaccination rates than did adolescents at control schools (51% vs. 46%, p < .001; adjusted odds ratio = 1.27, 95% confidence interval 1.18-1.38, controlling for vaccination during the prior two seasons). No effect of SLIV was noted among urbanschools on multivariate analysis. SLIV did not substitute for vaccinations in primary care or other settings; in suburban settings, SLIV was associated with increased vaccinations in primary care or other settings (adjusted odds ratio = 1.10, 95% confidence interval 1.02-1.19).

CONCLUSIONS: SLIV in this community increased influenza vaccination rates among adolescents attending suburban schools.

Journal Title

The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine

Volume

62

Issue

2

First Page

157

Last Page

163

MeSH Keywords

Adolescent; Humans; Immunization Programs; Influenza Vaccines; School Health Services; Vaccination

Keywords

Adolescents; High school; Immunization rates; Influenza; Influenza vaccinations; Middle school; School health

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