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The Impact of Mass School Immunization on School AttendanceKathleen S. Wiggs-Stayner, RN, MS Ed PH, is director of Community Nursing, Pediatrics, Pediatric Intensive Care, Pediatric Specialty Clinics, Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne, IN
Teresa R. Purdy, RN, BSN, is a school nurse, Parkview Community Health Improvement Program, Fort Wayne, IN
Gailya N. Go, RN, BSN, is a school nurse, Parkview Community Health Improvement Program, Fort Wayne, IN
Natalie C. McLaughlin, RN, BSN, is a school nurse, Parkview Community Health Improvement Program, Fort Wayne, IN
Penny S. Tryzynka, RN, BSN, is a school nurse, Parkview Community Health Improvement Program, Fort Wayne, IN
Joyce R. Sines, RN, MSN, BC, is a pediatric clinical nurse specialist, Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne, IN
Thein Hlaing, MBBS, FRCP, FACE, is a trauma epidemiologist for Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne, IN The purpose of this study was to assess the impact a free, on-site influenza immunization program could have on attendance in Title 1 schools. Four Title 1 elementary schools participated in the study. Students at 2 schools were offered free FluMist® immunizations on site, and students at 2 control schools were not. Compliance on receiving FluMist® was measured on the percentage of students participating after evaluating for medical exclusions. Documentation on the reason for absences at all 4 schools included self- or parent-reported influenza. Attendance rates for the year also were compared with the previous year for all 4 schools. A comparison was done of total days absent versus total days enrolled between schools receiving FluMist® and schools not receiving the vaccine. Despite the fact that FluMist® is a new vaccine and is not required for children, 57% of those medically eligible to receive it had parental permission and received the vaccine. The 2 schools receiving FluMist® increased their attendance rates from 95.3% and 93.9% to 96.1% and 95.8%. Previously, the comparison schools each had a 94.6% attendance rate; one fell to 94.4% and the other rose very slightly to 94.7%. The differences in self- or parent-reported influenza absences were not significant. However, the difference in days absent between individual vaccinated and nonvaccinated schools was statistically significant.
Key Words: absenteeism • attendance • FluMist® • immunization • influenza • Title 1 schools
The Journal of School Nursing, Vol. 22, No. 4,
219-222 (2006) This article has been cited by other articles:
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