부산대학교 도서관

Influenza remains an important and largely uncontrolled disease. In the USA, estimated direct and indirect costs exceed US$14 billion, reported annual deaths are in excess of 20,000/year, and the impact on the health care system is dramatic. In the state of Colorado, a volunteer coalition of health professionals, electronic and print consultants, health departments, nursing groups, and pharmaceutical companies have worked to improve vaccination rates. Advertising on radio, TV, newspapers and on electronic billboards at public sporting events has increased awareness. Messages about flu shots are also displayed on a donated automobile. Vaccines can be obtained through standard channels such as physician offices and health departments, but also can be obtained in alternative sites such as grocery stores, pharmacies, and office sites. At the inception of this program 15 years ago, only 32,000 doses of vaccine were delivered at alternative sites and less than 100,000 doses were dispensed in the entire state in physician offices and health departments. In the 1998-1999 season, more than 249,000 doses were dispensed in alternative sites and more than 800,000 in physician offices. This year, an automobile named the "Flubug" displaying positive influenza vaccine messages was strategically placed at sporting and cultural events. A toll-free "hotline" was also established so potential vaccine candidates could phone and obtain information on where vaccine was available on a daily basis. Vaccine delivered at alternative sites will exceed 300,000 this year in the state of Colorado alone. Influenza-like illness reported to the state health department has declined each year as the number of doses administered increases. Alternative site administration of influenza vaccine is a cost effective and successful strategy to improve immunization rates.