How to improve the uptake of influenza vaccination in older persons at risk.

A study was carried out to ascertain if those older persons at risk from influenza in Ireland would respond to a personalised invitation to attend for vaccination. Of the 193 patients invited to attend for vaccination, 126 (65.3 per cent) presented for vaccination. This rose to 142 (73.6 per cent) after a reminder letter was went out. In the year previous to the study only 80 (41.5 per cent) of the same cohort of patients were vaccinated. This study has demonstrated how a simple invitation for influenza vaccination can dramatically improve the uptake rates.