Sociodemographic and socioeconomic disparities in pediatric influenza vaccination: A cohort study from the pedianet network

Objectives: To evaluate the sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors impacting pediatric influenza vaccination coverage in Italy. Study design: This retrospective observational cohort study included all children aged 6 months to 14 years at the start of the five consecutive seasons (September 1, 2019, to January 31, 2024) who were enrolled in the Pedianet network, a comprehensive database comprising over 200 family pediatricians in Italy. Generalized linear mixed-effects models were used to analyze the association between children's sex, age group (6 months-6 years, 7–11 years, 12–14 years), sibling status, area of birth, Area Deprivation Index (ADI), presence of comorbidities, and vaccination coverage across seasons. Results: Influenza vaccination coverage remained suboptimal across all seasons considered, with a minimum of 7 % in 2019/2020 and a peak of 12 % during the 2020/2021 season. The likelihood of vaccination decreased with increasing age, while children with at least one sibling and those residing in Central or Southern Italy and the Islands were more likely to be vaccinated. Beginning with the 2020/2021 season, our results demonstrate a significantly lower likelihood of vaccination among children from more deprived areas. No significant differences were observed between males and females. Conclusion: Our findings enhance the understanding of the sociodemographic factors influencing influenza vaccination coverage among Italian children. Considering the role and complexity of these determinants is essential for developing tailored vaccination strategies to improve coverage in the future.