Influenza vaccination. Shot down

The government's policy to give everyone over 65 a flu vaccination this winter lacks detail on implementation. A study of vaccination in nine general practices in England last year suggests much greater organisation is required to achieve high take-up rates. Although all practices were computerised and had an age-sex register, they did not use these to plan their vaccination programmes. On its own, computerisation is not a sufficient basis for organising a comprehensive programme. Most practices relied on patients presenting themselves for vaccination.