Prevalence of influenza vaccination in South Australian aged care homes

To determine the prevalence of influenza immunisation of residents within South Australian aged care homes, reasons why vaccination is not given, the policy associated with vaccination administration and the source of the vaccination.

A clustered, multistage, area sample was used to assess the provision of the influenza vaccine to 500 randomly selected residents within 50 randomly selected aged care homes in South Australia during face-to-face interviews with the director of nursing at each of the selected facilities. The response rate was 100%.

Overall, 88.4% (95% CI 85.2-91.0) of residents had received an influenza immunisation in 2001. The reasons why a resident did not have an influenza vaccination included refusal and allergy. Consent was generally obtained on an ad hoc basis (in 94.0% of homes) with the most frequent form of consent type being verbal (66.0%). Influenza vaccine administration was part of standing drug orders in 16.0% of cases and over half of the homes (54.0%) had a specific policy of education and encouraging both residents and staff to be vaccinated against influenza.

Residents of aged care homes, a population deemed to be at high risk of contracting influenza, are receiving an adequate level of influenza coverage although improvements could be made. Addressing policy and procedural issues can maintain, and further improve, vaccination levels.

Clarification of policies for influenza vaccination administration particularly in regard to staff could further improve rates of vaccination coverage.