[Increase of degree of vaccination against influenza in at-risk patients by directed primary care invitation].

OBJECTIVE

To increase the coverage of influenza vaccination by a programmatic approach in a large population, aimed at the general practitioners (GPs).

DESIGN

Intervention study (prospective).

SETTING

The region of central Brabant (Tilburg and some surrounding communities), the Netherlands.

METHOD

The intervention was carried out in a population of 133,000 people (registered at 42 offices of 56 GPs, and at 27 pharmacies). Medication data from pharmacists were used for the selection of patients at risk by the GPs.

RESULTS

About 15,000 patients were selected by the GPs and invited for vaccination. The (final) coverage was 75.5% in 1993, a 56% increase over 1992. The increase in the group of comparable but non-participating GPs was 18%, in the Netherlands as a whole it was 8%.

CONCLUSION

It is quite possible to achieve a considerable increase of the coverage of influenza vaccination.