Feasibility and utility of influenza vaccination in hematology/oncology clinics.

166 Background: Seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended for cancer patients. However, many cancer clinics do not routinely offer flu shots. Early in January, 2013, Toronto experienced widespread influenza activity. Approximately 25% of hospitalizations on the hematology/oncology ward at St. Michael's Hospital (SMH) during this time were for suspected influenza. A large number of patients were noted to be unvaccinated. In-response, influenza vaccination was organized in parallel with regular hematology/oncology clinics at SMH. Aims: To determine the feasibility and utility of influenza vaccination in a cancer clinic. Methods: All patients seen in the SMH hematology/oncology clinic between January 14 and February 1, 2013, were eligible for influenza vaccination. A brief survey was administered to obtain vaccination history, willingness to receive flu vaccination, and beliefs about flu vaccination. Information regarding diagnosis, treatment, and family physician was obtained from the medical record. Univariate testing was completed with the Chi-squared and Fisher’s exact tests as appropriate. Results: 555 patients were seen during the period of interest; 206 completed the survey (37% response rate). Median age of respondents was 63 years, 42% were male, and 81% had cancer. 107(52%) of respondents had not received seasonal influenza vaccination of whom 41 (38%) accepted vaccination when offered. Among vaccinated patients, most received the flu shot from a family physician (70%). Reasons for not receiving the flu shot were personal preference (24%), belief that it was not necessary (19%), inconvenience (14%), concerns about side effects (8%), believe that it was contraindicated during chemotherapy (7%) and a perception that a medical practitioner advised against it (7%). Patients without a registered family physician were less likely to have received the seasonal flu shot (p=0.03). Patients with a malignant diagnosis and patients receiving IV chemotherapy tended to have lower rates of seasonal flu vaccination (p=0.09 and p=0.12 respectively). Conclusions: Administering influenza vaccination during hematology/oncology clinics is feasible and may address a care gap in this population.