Acceptance and opinions of Intanza/IDflu intradermal influenza vaccine in the Czech Republic and Turkey.

INTRODUCTION Intanza(®)/IDflu(®) (Sanofi Pasteur SA, Lyon, France), a split-virion, trivalent influenza vaccine delivered by intradermal injection with a microinjection system, became available in adults 18-59 years of age (9 μg) and ≥60 years of age (15 μg) as of the 2010/2011 northern hemisphere influenza season. METHODS This study assessed the acceptability of intradermal vaccination with Intanza/IDflu in routine clinical practice in adult vaccinees and their vaccine prescribers. Vaccine prescribers and adults who had elected to be vaccinated with Intanza/IDflu during the 2010/2011 northern hemisphere influenza season were recruited to complete surveys about their opinions of influenza vaccination and their acceptance of the intradermal vaccination. Czech subjects 18-59 years of age were vaccinated with the 9 μg formulation and those ≥60 years of age with the 15 μg formulation of Intanza/IDflu. All Turkish subjects were vaccinated with the 9 μg formulation, as Intanza/IDflu 15 μg was not available in Turkey at the time the survey was conducted. RESULTS One thousand and twelve vaccinees and 28 vaccine prescribers in the Czech Republic, and 249 vaccinees and 15 vaccine prescribers in Turkey completed questionnaires. Overall, 96.1% of vaccinees were satisfied or very satisfied with Intanza/IDflu. The main reason for satisfaction was that the injection was considered minimally painful. Most (93.9%) vaccinees reported that they would prefer to receive the same vaccination next year. Furthermore, 95.3% of vaccine prescribers were satisfied or very satisfied with the intradermal vaccine, and 82.6% preferred intradermal over intramuscular vaccination. CONCLUSIONS Intradermal vaccination for seasonal influenza using Intanza/IDflu is well accepted by adult vaccinees and vaccine prescribers. By providing an additional, well-accepted method, Intanza/IDflu might help increase seasonal influenza vaccination rates in adults.