The influence of health professionals on the uptake of the influenza immunization

Abstract

Influenced by the Department of Health's aim to increase the uptake of the influenza immunization to 70% among those eligible, this study aimed to compare three methods of promoting influenza immunization among over 65 year old patients in a GP practice, and to identify if a particular promotion method was more effective among either of two defined age groups. The sample (n = 90) was randomly allocated into three intervention groups, and then subdivided into two age groups. A different subject experimental design was used to compare the groups. Statistical analysis of the data showed no significant difference in influenza immunization uptake between the three intervention groups, or the age-defined sub-groups. However, although not significant at 5% significance level, participants aged 72 years and over showed a greater uptake among those visited by a health professional. The findings suggest that a larger study using the same interventions would produce significant results.