Use of Influenza Vaccine in Nursing Homes
- 1 July 1985
- journal article
- Published by Wiley in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
- Vol. 33 (7), 463-466
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.1985.tb05456.x
Abstract
The organization and outcome of influenza immunization programs were studied in 67 randomly or systematically selected nursing homes (8354 residents) in six states during the autumn of 1982 and/or 1983. In each home, influenza vaccine was usually offered to all residents on a voluntary basis, independent of their age, level of required nursing care, or underlying medical conditions. However, the proportion of residents who were vaccinated ranged from 8 to 98% (mean, 62% overall), with significantly lower rates in homes that also required consent from relatives (usually by return mail) than in homes that did not (P less than .00001; median, 57 versus 90%, respectively). These observations suggest that distribution of educational materials about the risks and benefits of influenza vaccine and systematic follow-up of relatives who fail to return the consent form may be useful strategies to further increase the number of nursing home residents who are immunized.Keywords
This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit:
- Efficacy of Influenza Vaccine in Nursing HomesPublished by American Medical Association (AMA) ,1985
- Vaccination for Influenza — Any Alternatives?New England Journal of Medicine, 1978