Objectives: To inform strategies for vaccinating elderly veterans, the objectives were to determine the proportion of veterans > or =65 years old vaccinated against influenza during the 2004-05 vaccine-shortage, the place they received vaccine, the reasons why they were/were not vaccinated and their attitudes to the shortage.
Results: Among 682 respondents, 87% were vaccinated during 2004-05. More participants received vaccine at the Veterans' Administration hospital than previously (67% vs. 57%, p < 0.0001). Only 28% perceived themselves as being at high risk from influenza even though all participants met > or =1 high-risk criteria. Among unvaccinated participants, 21% were unvaccinated so that someone else could have their dose ("altruism"). For 61%, the shortage led to feeling heightened urgency for vaccination; those participants were more apt to be vaccinated (96% v. 77%, p < 0.001). Of those not vaccinated during the previous season, only 20% reported feeling urgency associated with the shortage, versus 65% of those vaccinated previously (p < 0.0001).
Methods: Survey-questionnaire mailed to a random sample of veterans > or =65 years-old. The questionnaire was derived from qualitative interviews during December 2004.
Conclusion: The climate of shortage led to a heightened sense of urgency for vaccination that was most prominent among veterans who were vaccinated in the past. It also may have led to vaccination for a small proportion not previously vaccinated against influenza. In contrast, other elderly veterans may have been motivated to avoid vaccination for altruistic reasons or because of confusion about their risk-status. Outreach and communication about vaccination should target both those who may feel urgency to be vaccinated as well as those who may inappropriately avoid vaccination.