Description of the Western Sydney and Nepean Blue Mountains local health districts' influenza prevention programme

Abstract

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. To evaluate the Western Sydney and Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District Influenza Prevention Program and to identify some of the enablers and barriers to vaccination in the hospital outpatient setting. Western Sydney and Nepean Blue Mountains local health districts' influenza prevention programme provided influenza vaccine in hospital outpatient settings between 21 March 2011 and 30 June 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. Two thousand, eight hundred and twenty-four 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 programme was $19 per dose. A hospital-based influenza vaccination programme 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.