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Intern Med J. 2013 May 9. doi: 10.1111/imj.12175. [Epub ahead of print]
Description of the Western Sydney, and Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health Districts' Influenza Prevention Program.
Brown M, Sheppeard V, Gabriel S, Thomas J.
Source
Public Health Registrar, Community Paediatrics Department, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney. NSW; Public Health Unit Nepean Blue Mountains and Western Sydney, and Community Paediatrics, Department, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney. Margaret.Brown@sswahs.nsw.gov.au.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Influenza is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. In 2011 influenza vaccination was provided free for people at greatest risk of severe disease: people aged 65 years and over, Aboriginal Australians 15 years and older, pregnant women, and individuals aged 6 months and over who suffered chronic medical conditions.
OBJECTIVES AND METHODS:
Western Sydney and Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District Influenza Prevention Program provided influenza vaccine in hospital outpatient settings between 21/03/2011 and 30/06/2011. Accredited nurse immunisers vaccinated 2824 individuals and recorded their primary reason for vaccination. Nurse immunisers were interviewed to identify barriers and enablers to influenza immunisation uptake.
RESULTS:
2824 doses of influenza vaccine were administered to people at high risk of influenza in four hospitals in the region: two tertiary facilities and two district hospitals. The primary indication for vaccination was chronic disease in 50% and pregnancy in 37%. Estimated direct cost of the program was $19 per dose.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS:
A hospital based influenza vaccination program can be an effective way to improve influenza vaccination rates among specific population groups at high risk of severe disease with influenza, particularly pregnant women and those younger than 65 years with a chronic medical condition.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
PMID:
23656638
[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Description of the Western Sydney, and Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health Districts' Influenza Prevention Program.
Brown M, Sheppeard V, Gabriel S, Thomas J.
Source
Public Health Registrar, Community Paediatrics Department, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney. NSW; Public Health Unit Nepean Blue Mountains and Western Sydney, and Community Paediatrics, Department, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney. Margaret.Brown@sswahs.nsw.gov.au.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Influenza is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. In 2011 influenza vaccination was provided free for people at greatest risk of severe disease: people aged 65 years and over, Aboriginal Australians 15 years and older, pregnant women, and individuals aged 6 months and over who suffered chronic medical conditions.
OBJECTIVES AND METHODS:
Western Sydney and Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District Influenza Prevention Program provided influenza vaccine in hospital outpatient settings between 21/03/2011 and 30/06/2011. Accredited nurse immunisers vaccinated 2824 individuals and recorded their primary reason for vaccination. Nurse immunisers were interviewed to identify barriers and enablers to influenza immunisation uptake.
RESULTS:
2824 doses of influenza vaccine were administered to people at high risk of influenza in four hospitals in the region: two tertiary facilities and two district hospitals. The primary indication for vaccination was chronic disease in 50% and pregnancy in 37%. Estimated direct cost of the program was $19 per dose.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS:
A hospital based influenza vaccination program can be an effective way to improve influenza vaccination rates among specific population groups at high risk of severe disease with influenza, particularly pregnant women and those younger than 65 years with a chronic medical condition.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
PMID:
23656638
[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
