Moving the Needle with Pediatric Influenza Vaccination

Introduction: Influenza results in significant pediatric illness, hospitalization, and mortality. During the 2022-2023 season, 106 pediatric influenza-associated deaths were reported in the United States. Half of those deaths were in healthy children without medical conditions, and 90% occurred in unvaccinated children. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) consequently recommend influenza vaccination during all healthcare encounters including the perioperative period.
The purpose of this quality improvement evaluation is to increase seasonal influenza vaccination volume in our pediatric population by offering vaccination while under anesthesia. Target population includes children aged 6 months to 18 years undergoing procedure or surgery at our facility. Target dates include September 2023 through April 2024.
Methods; After approval from the research determination office, dedicated members of a multidisciplinary perioperative team, including providers, leaders, nurses, physicians, and pharmacists, developed our perioperative pediatric influenza vaccination program to address the urgency of action aimed at increasing influenza vaccination rates during the 2023-2024 season.
Results: Perioperative services provided over 200 pediatric patients with protective influenza vaccination from September 2023 to April 2024. The volume of patients during the same period is 970. Post-intervention, we demonstrated a 21% pediatric influenza vaccination capture during our inaugural season.
Conclusions: The perioperative period is a prime opportunity to increase pediatric influenza vaccinations without the experience of injection. Perioperative services has expanded the program, offering vaccine to developmentally challenged adults, to support delivery of socially sensitive care.
The program can be replicated with overall goal to increase pediatric vaccination rates and improve the health in our communities, all while reducing the stress experience of injection. Perioperative services in the ambulatory care setting has a unique opportunity to support this vulnerable population.