Coverage and predictors of influenza vaccination in patients with cystic fibrosis in a campaign with a mobile phone text messaging intervention

Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2019;15(1):102-106. doi: 10.1080/21645515.2018.1520585. Epub 2018 Sep 19.

Abstract

Annual influenza vaccination is considered the best protection against influenza infection. We analyzed the influenza vaccine coverage (IVC) in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and evaluated the factors associated with the IVC, including the effect of text-message/SMS reminders. We performed a cross-sectional study in the Community of Madrid (Spain) in 2015. The target population was people with CF older than 6 months of age at the beginning of the flu vaccination campaign. The IVC was calculated according to the study variables. A total of 445 CF patients were analyzed. In 2015, IVC reached 67.9% and was higher in children and women. The main factor associated with flu vaccination was having been vaccinated in the previous campaign (aOR 14.36; IC95%: 8.48-24.32). The probability of being vaccinated after receiving the SMS was more than twice than for those who did not receive it, although no statistical significance was reached. In conclusion the IVC of patients with CF is high, but it still has room for improvement. SMS reminders sent to CF patients might improve influenza vaccine uptake.

Keywords: cystic fibrosis; influenza vaccines; text-messaging intervention; vaccination coverage.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Cystic Fibrosis / complications*
  • Cystic Fibrosis / virology
  • Electronic Health Records
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunization Programs*
  • Infant
  • Influenza Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Influenza, Human / prevention & control*
  • Male
  • Reminder Systems / instrumentation*
  • Text Messaging*
  • Vaccination Coverage*

Substances

  • Influenza Vaccines

Grants and funding

Partial funding was provided by the Spanish Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equity (Rare Diseases Strategy 2015). The translation of this publication was funded by the Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation of Primary Care of the Community of Madrid (FIIBAP) through the call for aid for translations/publications 2017.