Vaccine eligibility in hospitalized children: spotlight on a unique healthcare opportunity

Objective: The goals of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness of an inpatient documentation system for identifying missed vaccine opportunities and to identify parental satisfaction with their vaccination services.

Methods: A prospective descriptive study compared inpatient documentation of vaccine history with actual vaccine records, and adherence with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices guidelines was assessed. A parental satisfaction survey was administered.

Results: One hundred sixty pediatric patients ages 2 months to 17 years (mean age 8 years) were enrolled. Seventy-six percent of patients had documentation of vaccine history, and 92% were documented as receiving all age-appropriate vaccines. Actual immunization records showed that 16% percent of patients were in compliance with Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices guidelines. The most commonly missed vaccine was influenza (67%) followed by meningococcal (57%), hepatitis A (48%), and varicella (38%). Ninety percent of parents were satisfied with the vaccination services their child had received.

Conclusion: A review of vaccine records is recommended to accurately assess status. Inpatient hospitalization represents an opportunity to assess vaccination status, address parental concerns, and provide updated vaccinations.