A home based health check combined with influenza vaccination improved uptake of influenza vaccination in people ≥75 years of age
QUESTION: In people ≥75 years of age, what is the effectiveness of 2 services (a home based health check combined with influenza vaccination and a personal letter of invitation to attend an influenza vaccination clinic) for maximising uptake of influenza vaccination?
Design
Randomised (unclear allocation concealment), blinded {data collectors}*, controlled trial with follow up of approximately 14 weeks.
Setting
A primary care practice in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, UK.
Patients
2052 adults ≥75 years of age (median age 79 y, 61% women) who were registered at a primary care practice. Adults living in residential care, nursing homes, or sheltered accommodation were excluded. Follow up was 100%.
Intervention
680 patients were allocated to an offer for a health check (including assessment of physical and mental health) given by a practice nurse in the patient’s home combined with an offer for influenza vaccination (health check group). 1372 patients were allocated to receive a personalletter of invitation to attend an influenza vaccination clinic (personal letter group). The letter stressed the importance of vaccination and reassured patients that there were few vaccination associated adverse effects.
Main outcome measures
Proportion of patients receiving the influenza vaccination.
Main results
Analysis was by intention to treat. Among the 680 patients in the health check group, 468 (69%) actually received the health …
