Effects of Mass Media Coverage on Timing and Annual Receipt of Influenza Vaccination among Medicare Elderly

Abstract

Objective To measure the association between mass media coverage on flu-related topics and influenza vaccination, regarding timing and annual vaccination rates, among the nationally representative community-dwelling elderly. Data Source 1999, 2000 and 2001 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS). Study Design Cross-sectional survival analyses during each of three influenza vaccination seasons between September 1999 and December 2001. The outcome variable was daily vaccine receipt. We measured daily media coverage by counting the number of television program transcripts and newspaper/wire service articles, including keywords of influenza/flu and vaccine shortage/delay. All models’ covariates included three types of media, vaccine supply, and regional/individual factors. Principal Findings Influenza-related reports in all three media sources had a positive association with earlier vaccination timing and annual vaccination rate. Four television–networks’ reports had most consistent positive effects in all models, e.g., shifting the mean vaccination timing earlier by 1.8–4.1 days (p<.001) or increasing the annual vaccination rate by 2.3–7.9% (p<.001). These associations tended to be greater when reported in a headline rather than in text only and if including additional keywords, e.g., vaccine shortage/delay. Conclusions Timing and annual receipt of influenza vaccination appear to be influenced by media coverage, particularly by headlines and specific reports on shortage/delay.

Dynamics of an Infectious Disease Where Media Coverage Influences Transmission

“…There is a need to consider how to avoid a similar media-evoked panic reaction in the future which causes damage to the public's health as the timing and type of broadcast can make a significant difference on the epidemic spread as change in attitudes and (lack of) knowledge can generally affect the long-term success of any information campaigns in influencing the course of an epidemic. It has been reported that timing and annual receipt of influenza vaccination appear to be influenced by media coverage, particularly by headlines and specific reports on shortage/delay [34]. Sun et al [27] consider a two-patch SIS model whereas we consider a single SEIHR.…”

Relationship Between Media Coverage and Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) Vaccination Uptake in Denmark: Retrospective Study (Preprint)

“…The effect of media coverage on vaccination uptake has been studied with respect to the influenza vaccine [6], HPV vaccine [7], and MMR vaccine [8,9]. Smith et al [8] focused on selective MMR nonrecipients, meaning children who received all recommended vaccinations except the MMR vaccine, and concentrated on media related to Wakefield et al's 1998 paper [10] and its now discredited link between the MMR vaccine and autism.…”

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of a Television Campaign to Promote Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Among the Elderly

“…Because these data did not distinguish the EH and SH groups in the Hispanic population, the vaccination coverage rate among the EH and SH groups was obtained from our previous [19].…”

“…Our previous study found a strong association between nationwide TV network coverage on influenza-related topics and influenza vaccination among the Medicare elderly by analyzing the 1999 to 2001 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) data [19]. In addition, the TV campaign was reported to be generally effective in changing health behavior (e.g., nutrition, physical activity, and use of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs) and health service utilization (e.g., cancer screening, prevention of heart disease, immunization programs [for measles, mumps, and rubella], and antibiotic use) [20][21][22].…”