Implementation of influenza immunisation policy in general practice: 1997 to 1998

Influenza immunisation policy and practice in primary care in central southern England was surveyed in early 1998, when national guidelines advised immunisation only for people with specified 'higher risk' medical conditions or who lived in long stay facilities such as nursing or residenti...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Communicable disease and public health 2000-03, Vol.3 (1), p.39-42
Main Authors: Booth, L V, Coppin, R, Dunleavey, J, Smith, H
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Age Factors
Aged
Child
Family Practice - statistics & numerical data
Health Surveys
Humans
Immunization Programs
Influenza Vaccines
Influenza, Human - prevention & control
Middle Aged
Practice Patterns, Physicians' - statistics & numerical data
Risk Factors
Surveys and Questionnaires
United Kingdom
Vaccination - statistics & numerical data
Vaccination - utilization
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Influenza immunisation policy and practice in primary care in central southern England was surveyed in early 1998, when national guidelines advised immunisation only for people with specified 'higher risk' medical conditions or who lived in long stay facilities such as nursing or residential homes. Three hundred and one questionnaires were returned from 441 general practices (68%). Between 71% and 82% of all respondents stated that they 'always' offered influenza immunisation to adults with the specified 'higher risk' medical conditions. For children the corresponding range was 33% to 43%. We estimated that 11.5% of the combined practice population of two million had received influenza immunisation late in 1997. The age data supplied suggested that 64% of those aged over 75 years had been immunised. Seventy-four per cent of respondents said they would be willing to follow an age based policy. The total coverage figures mask suboptimal uptake in target groups, coupled with immunisation of those outside the target groups. This could be partly addressed by rewarding high coverage of target groups such as elderly people aged over 75 years and by clarifying the guidelines for immunisation of children with 'higher risk' medical conditions.
ISSN:1462-1843