Chronic disease status, self-perceived health and hospital admissions are important predictors for having a flu shot in Canada

The association between health status and influenza vaccination was examined among 129,809 Canadians 12 years of age or more in 2003. Of them, 46.7% had influenza vaccination at least once in their life and 27.6% had one in the past 12 months. Seniors and women were more likely to have one. Major chronic disease and self-perceived health were strong predictors. Overall hospitalization was also positively associated with an increased proportion of influenza vaccination. To increase the coverage of influenza vaccination in the general population and in the elderly subpopulation, those who consider themselves to be healthy need more attention.