Influenza vaccination among cardiovascular disease sufferers in Spain: related factors and trend, 1993-2003.

Based on data drawn from the 1993 and 2003 National Health Surveys (NHS), we sought to: estimate influenza vaccination coverages among Spanish cardiovascular disease (CVD) sufferers; study which variables were associated with the likelihood of being vaccinated; analyze the time-trend in coverage for the period 1993-2003. For study purposes, a CVD sufferer was defined as any adult who reported suffering from high blood pressure and/or heart disease. The proportion of vaccinated adult CVD sufferers in 1993 and 2003 totalled 39.96% and 51.73%, respectively. The following variables increased the likelihood of being vaccinated: higher age; male gender; presence of respiratory chronic diseases; non-smoker status. Coverages for CVD sufferers had improved significantly from 1993 to 2003 but still remain below desirable levels. The improvement over time is mainly due to the subgroup aged >64 years. Strategies must be implemented to improve the use of influenza vaccine among CVD sufferers in Spain in general, and among the younger age-groups in particular.