Frequency and Consequences of Influenza Vaccination in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease

Immunization against influenza is a critical, but perhaps underappreciated prevention of morbidity and mortality in the cardiac population. The purpose of the present study is to examine influenza vaccination rates in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD). A secondary purpose is to explore whether there is an association between demographic, medical, and behavioral variables and receipt of the influenza vaccination. Of the 183 consecutive ACHD patients who were contacted, 123 responded to our telephone survey. Mean age was 38.4 ± 14.7, with the most common type of lesion complexity being moderate (65.3%), followed by simple (21.0%) and severe (13.7%). Overall, 53 respondents reported undergoing influenza vaccination in the previous season. Fifty-two percent of all subjects claimed they were notified of the benefits of vaccination by their physician. Univariate analysis revealed that older age (p = 0.006), female gender (p = 0.027), perceived susceptibility to influenza illness (p