Journal of Public Health Advance Access originally published online on January 25, 2006
Journal of Public Health 2006 28(1):56-60; doi:10.1093/pubmed/fdi074
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Flu vaccination in nursing homes: a survey of nursing-home managers
Geoffrey J. Barnes
Geoffrey J. Barnes, MFPH, Independent Public Health Specialist, 46 Chapel Street, Ormskirk, Lancs L39 4QF, UK
Catherine Quigley
Catherine Quigley, FFPH, Regional Epidemiologist, Health Protection Agency North West, Rooms 103-112, First Floor, DBH House, 105 Boundary Road, Liverpool L5 9YJ, UK
Address correspondence to Geoffrey J. Barnes, 46 Chapel Street, Ormskirk, Lancs L39 4QF. Email: GJBAFOREVERTON{at}hotmail.com
BackgroundThis article describes the findings of a survey of nursing-home managers in the Sefton area of Merseyside about flu vaccination in their nursing homes during the 2002/2003 flu vaccination campaign. This followed concerns expressed that significant numbers of nursing-home residents may not have been offered the vaccine during the annual campaign.
MethodsA survey of all nursing homes in Sefton carried out in April 2003.
ResultsForty-three nursing homes participated in the study. Survey results showed considerable variation in practice with regard to the organization of flu vaccination and consequently considerable variation in the outcomes achieved with regard to the number of residents vaccinated. Residents are more likely to be offered vaccination in some homes than others. The size of the home and the number of qualified staff may be influential. Some homes report uncertainty related to the issues of consent and anaphylaxis and problems obtaining vaccine prescriptions. However, attitudes of nursing-home managers may also be important.
Keywords: continuing care, flu, survey, vaccination