Monitoring influenza immunisation uptake in nursing homes

People who live in nursing homes are at particular risk of influenza and its complications. Immunisation can reduce the incidence, duration, and severity of influenza and prevent outbreaks in institutions, but there is no established system to monitor vaccine uptake. In the late summer of 1995, all 31 nursing homes in South Glamorgan were sent an immunisation register and matrons were asked to record the immunisation histories of their residents. Thirty homes responded; vaccine uptake among their residents averaged 77%. Most residents were immunised by mid-November, in good time for the anticipated influenza season. The method we used to monitor immunisation uptake was simple and efficient, yielding almost complete enumeration of the study population, and could be adapted for use elsewhere to monitor vaccine coverage in this high risk group each year.