Achieving the national health objective for influenza immunization: success of an institution-wide vaccination program

Article Abstract:

Influenza is an acute, contagious respiratory infection with the influenza virus that is characterized by sudden onset, fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, and absolute exhaustion. The infection usually lasts from two to seven days. An immunization program was developed to increase the rates of vaccination against influenza among patients with a high risk of developing this illness. The program was carried out at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1987. According to the program, nurses were permitted to give the influenza vaccination without a signed physician's order; reminders were stamped on all clinic progress notes; flu shots were available over a two-week period in a walk-in clinic; influenza vaccine stations were established in the busiest clinic areas; and outpatients were provided information about the influenza vaccine through the mail. Risk characteristics and vaccination rates were assessed by questionnaires given to 500 patients. The results were compared with data from three other VAMCs without immunization programs. The findings showed that almost 71 percent of patients were considered high-risk and about 58 percent were vaccinated against influenza. At the medical centers without immunization programs, almost 70 percent of patients were high-risk, but only about 30 percent were vaccinated. The Minneapolis VAMC vaccination program was thus very effective and may serve as a useful model for attaining the national health objective of influenza vaccination for high-risk individuals. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Standards, Evaluation, Social policy, Preventive health services, Preventive medicine

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Improving influenza vaccination rates for high-risk inpatients

Article Abstract:

This report presents data concerning the effectiveness of an inpatient ''flu shot'' program established in 1989 at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center. The program was an adaptation of an outpatient vaccination program at the same facility. Patients without contraindications were given a shot upon discharge from the hospital or ward (if nonambulatory). Special inservice training was conducted for ward nurses. A sample of 274 patients was selected from the list of 547 patients over 64 years who were discharged during a 2-month period and surveyed by postcard questionnaire regarding receipt of the flu shot, medical condition, and demographic variables. A randomly selected group of outpatients received the same questionnaire. In- and outpatient response rates were 78.3 percent and 76.6 percent, respectively. Elderly inpatients reported more serious illness than elderly outpatients; 75.7 percent of the inpatients had lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, or other serious illness, compared with 52.2 percent of outpatients. The vaccination rate for the inpatients was 78.6 percent, higher than the goal of the immunization program. Inpatients were more likely than outpatients to have been vaccinated at the VA Medical Center. The results show that an outpatient vaccination program can be effectively adapted to inpatients. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Statistics, Vaccination, Hospital patients

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Frequency of adverse reactions after influenza vaccination

Article Abstract:

Influenza is a respiratory infection that occurs suddenly and is characterized by symptoms of fever, chills, headache, muscle pain and intense exhaustion. Nasal inflammation and discharge, cough, and sore throat are also common symptoms, and the infection usually lasts from two to seven days. In the elderly and chronically ill, influenza can cause more serious illness and death, although fewer than one-third of those at high risk are vaccinated in the United States, because of the fear of unfavorable side effects of the influenza vaccination. This study examined the frequency of adverse side effects from influenza vaccination in 650 elderly, chronically ill subjects. The patients, averaging 63 years in age, were divided into two groups: group I was interviewed a week after vaccination, and group II was interviewed three weeks after vaccination regarding the presence of fever, disability and flu-like illness. The occurrence of fever and disability was similar in both groups, although a higher proportion of group I patients reported flu-like symptoms. The results show that there is a low incidence of symptoms, although flu-like illness was higher during the first week after influenza vaccination than at three weeks after receiving the vaccine. The symptoms did not affect the ability of any patient to perform daily activities.

Complications and side effects, Demographic aspects

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