Influenza vaccination coverage in old people's home in Carmarthenshire, UK, during the winter of 1998/99

A mailed questionnaire survey was undertaken in old people's (nursing and r esidential) homes in Carmarthenshire, UK to determine the influenza vaccine uptake during the 1998/99 season. Out of the total 60 questionnaires circu lated, response was received from 47 homes giving an overall response rate of 78%. Amongst the 1399 residents, 1132 (81%) received influenza vaccine i n the winter of 1998/99. Uptake was higher in nursing homes (89%) than in r esidential homes (79%) or dual registered homes (81%). The most common reas on for not receiving influenza vaccination was refusal by the residents the mselves, although the vaccine was offered to 99% of residents. This study s uggests that strategies to improve communication and provision of education al materials outlining the benefits of influenza vaccine to elderly residen ts and health professionals may help increase the likelihood of vaccine upt ake. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.