The “Population Characteristics of Inconsistent Influenza Vaccinators” study, part of the PEDSnet Scholars project, aims to explore and characterize pediatric patients who exhibit inconsistent influenza vaccination behaviors. Inconsistent vaccinators—children who receive the influenza vaccine in some seasons but not others—represent a significant portion of the population yet remain understudied. This research seeks to understand the demographic, clinical, and healthcare utilization characteristics of this group compared to consistent vaccinators and non-vaccinators.
Leveraging the PEDSnet network’s vast electronic health record (EHR) data from pediatric patients across multiple U.S. children’s hospitals, this retrospective cohort study will analyze influenza vaccination patterns over ten flu seasons (2014-2024). The study will examine factors such as age, medical complexity, insurance type, and healthcare interactions to identify key predictors of inconsistent vaccination behaviors.
The findings will provide critical insights for developing targeted interventions to promote consistent vaccination and improve overall public health outcomes, especially in vulnerable pediatric populations. This project aligns with the goals of the PEDSnet Scholars program, which supports early-career investigators in advancing pediatric research using large-scale data resources
