Patient response to mail cues recommending influenza vaccine

Patient responses to direct mail cues identifying them to be at high risk from influenza and recommending influenza vaccine were studied over a three-year period. Over 3,500 patients from both a family practice residency model office and the residency faculty's private practice were included. Although lack of active involvement by practicing physicians is often cited as a contributing factor for poor public acceptance of influenza vaccine, and although it has been reported that physician suggestion shows a direct positive effect on vaccination use, this had not been studied in large numbers of patients or in community hospital settings. Results of this study show no significant statistical or clinical improvement over baseline vaccination rates in either practice.