Research article

Trends in influenza vaccination coverage rates in Germany over five seasons from 2001 to 2006

Majbrit V Holm¹ , Patricia R Blank² and Thomas D Szucs²

¹  European Center of Pharmaceutical Medicine, University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland

²  Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Zurich, 8001 Zurich, Switzerland

author email corresponding author email

BMC Infectious Diseases 2007, 7:144doi:10.1186/1471-2334-7-144

Published:	10 December 2007

Abstract

Background

To assess influenza vaccination coverage from 2001 to 2006 in Germany, to understand drivers and barriers to vaccination and to identify vaccination intentions for season 2006/07.

Methods

9,990 telephone-based household surveys from age 14 were conducted between 2001 and 2006. Essentially, the same questionnaire was used in all seasons.

Results

The influenza vaccination coverage rate reached 32.5% in 2005/06. In the elderly (≥60 years), the vaccination rate reached 58.9% in 2005/06. In those aged 65 years and older, it was 63.4%. Perceiving influenza as a serious illness was the most frequent reason for getting vaccinated. Thirteen percent of those vaccinated in 2005/06 indicated the threat of avian flu as a reason. The main reason for not getting vaccinated was thinking about it without putting it into practice. The major encouraging factor to vaccination was a recommendation by the family doctor. 49.6% of the respondents intend to get vaccinated against influenza in season 2006/07.

Conclusion

Increasing vaccination rates were observed from 2001 to 2006 in Germany. The threat of avian influenza and the extended reimbursement programs may have contributed to the recent increase.