Influenza vaccination uptake in 1999 and older persons recall of vaccination

The aims of this study were to assess the uptake of the influenza vaccine by medical card patients aged 65 years and older and to assess if using older persons' recall of vaccination was a reliable method of assessing uptake. A questionnaire was mailed to 360 medical card patients aged 65 years and older and from the returns a subset were selected and the GPs contacted to ascertain whether the patients had received the vaccine or not. A total of 293 questionnaires were returned (response rate of 81.4%). One hundred and forty-four (49.1%) stated that they received the influenza vaccine. GPs were contacted in respect of 64 patients to check on their vaccination record. Only 2 (3.1%) of the questionnaires differed to the GP records in respect of vaccination. The result being that the uptake rates as assessed by the patients' recall and by checking GPs records were almost identical. (Kappa statistic: 0.94) In conclusion the uptake for older persons with medical cards was low at 49.1%. Using older persons recall to estimate uptake is valid and accurate.