Monitoring pandemic influenza A(H1N1) vaccination coverage in Germany 2009/10 – Results from thirteen consecutive cross-sectional surveys

To monitor pandemic influenza A(H1N1) vaccine uptake during the vaccination campaign in Germany 2009/10, thirteen consecutive cross-sectional telephone-surveys were performed between November 2009 and April 2010. In total 13,010 household-interviews were conducted. Vaccination coverage in persons >14 years of age remained low, both in the general population (8.1%; 95%CI: 7.4–8.8) and in specific target groups such as healthcare workers and individuals with underlying chronic diseases (12.8%; 95%CI: 11.4–14.4). Previous vaccination against seasonal influenza was a main factor independently associated with pandemic influenza vaccination (Odds ratio = 8.8; 95%CI: 7.2–10.8). The campaign failed to reach people at risk who were not used to receive their annual seasonal influenza shot.