Even though it's long been recommended that kids with asthma receive the flu vaccine because of their increased risk of flu-related complications, many miss this important immunization, according to researchers from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.

Using a Michigan Medicaid health insurance database, researchers identified 4,358 5- to 18-year-olds with asthma and noted whether they'd received the flu vaccine during the 2001–2002 and 2002–2003 flu seasons.

During the 2001–2002 flu season, only about 17% of kids with asthma received the flu vaccine; in 2002–2003, nearly 22% did. Only about 10% were vaccinated in both seasons.

Despite these low vaccination numbers, at least 75% of the kids in this study visited a doctor's office at least once during each flu season. Nearly 40% visited a doctor's office at least once during both flu seasons and were not vaccinated either year.

What This Means to You. In this study, most kids with asthma failed to receive the recommended yearly flu vaccine, even though they had one or more opportunities to do so during a doctor's visit. Even during seasons when there are vaccine shortages, kids with asthma are at high risk for serious complications and should receive the vaccine. If your child has asthma, talk to your doctor as soon as possible about immunizing your child for the upcoming flu season.

Source: Kevin J. Dombkowski, DrPH, MS; Matthew M. Davis, MD, MAPP; Lisa M. Cohn, MS; Sarah J. Clark, MPH; Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, September 2006.

Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: October 2006