Validation of self‐reported influenza vaccination in the current and prior season

Self‐reported influenza vaccination is generally accurate for the current season, but the accuracy of self‐report for vaccination in prior seasons is largely unknown. This study evaluated the accuracy of self‐report for current and prior season influenza vaccination among patients with medically attended acute respiratory illness enrolled in a study of influenza vaccine effectiveness during the 2014‐15 influenza season. It demonstrates there is a greater potential for exposure misclassification when prior season vaccinations are ascertained by self‐report. Percent agreement between self‐report and final status was high for both current and prior season vaccination: 97.7% and 93.2%, respectively.