Influenza and pneumococcal vaccine uptake among nursing home residents in Nottingham, England: a postal questionnaire survey

Amir Shroufi¹ , Joanna Copping² , Roberto Vivancos³ and Richard CB Slack⁴

¹Norfolk PCT, St Andrew's House, St Andrew's Business Park, Northside, Norwich, NR7 0HT, UK

²Camden PCT, St Pancras Hospital, 4 St Pancras Way, London, NW1 0PE, UK

³School of Medicine, Health Policy & Practice' University of East Anglia Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK

⁴East Midlands Health Protection Unit (North), Pleasley Vale Business Park, Mill 3, Floor 3, Pleasley, Mansfield, NG19 8RL, UK

author email corresponding author email

BMC Geriatrics 2008, 8:11doi:10.1186/1471-2318-8-11


Published:	16 May 2008

Abstract

Background

Previous studies have shown influenza vaccine uptake in UK nursing home residents to be low. Very little information exists regarding the uptake of pneumococcal vaccine in this population. The formulation of policies relating to the vaccination of residents has been proposed as a simple step that may help improve vaccine uptake in care homes.

Methods

A postal questionnaire was sent to matrons of all care homes with nursing within the Greater Nottingham area in January 2006. Non respondents were followed up with up to 3 phone calls.

Results

30% (16/53) of respondents reported having a policy addressing influenza vaccination and 15% (8/53) had a policy addressing pneumococcal vaccination. Seasonal influenza vaccine coverage in care homes with a vaccination policy was 87% compared with 84% in care homes without a policy (p = 0.47). The uptake of pneumococcal vaccination was found to be low, particularly in care homes with no vaccination policy. Coverage was 60% and 32% in care homes with and without a vaccination policy respectively (p = 0.06). This result was found to be statistically significant on multivariate analysis (p = 0.03, R = 0.46)

Conclusion

The uptake of influenza vaccine among care home residents in the Nottingham region is relatively high, although pneumococcal vaccine uptake is low. This study shows that there is an association between pneumococcal vaccine uptake and the existence of a vaccination policy in care homes, and highlights that few care homes have vaccination policies in place.