Recruitment and retention of older adults in influenza immunization study

Minority older adults have been under-represented in previous research studies in which Caucasian populations have been recruited. This article describes a consumer-centered model that addresses strategies to enhance recruitment and retention of a racially diverse healthy elderly population in an influenza immunization study. A consumer-centered model was employed in a 3-year research study that examined age-related changes in the immune responses to influenza vaccination. Four factors seem to be critical for successful recruitment and retention of African American, Latino and Caucasian elders: (1) building trust between the research team, and the community at large; (2) convenience (or inconvenience) to the volunteer; (3) timing of recruitment and data collection; and (4) incentives.