[The organization and implementation of influenza vaccination in Groningen, 1993-1996]

To find out to what extent the recommendations from the standard 'Influenza and influenza vaccination' of the Dutch association of general practitioners (NHG) were implemented by the GPs in the period 1993-1996.

Descriptive questionnaire study.

Municipal Health Services Groningen, the Netherlands.

All GPs active in the province of Groningen were sent a questionnaire in the period 1993-1996. Practical support of GPs in organizing influenza vaccination was offered as a part of the project 'Preventie: maatwerk' (Prevention made to measure).

Automated selection of risk patients showed a distinct increase over the years. This increase was greatest in 1996, especially in rural practices. Inviting by personal letter, as recommended in the NHG standard increased to 48% in 1996. Not all GPs organized special vaccination office hours. An increasing number offered vaccination at other times as well. In urban municipalities, vaccine was available in the practice less often. Half the GPs reminded risk patients of the vaccination if they failed to appear. The recorded number of vaccinated patients in Groningen was 9.5% of the population in 1994 (nation-wide: 10.8%), 10.8% in 1995 (nation-wide: 11.5%) and 15.4% in 1996 (nation-wide: 15.2%).

The attention for programmed prevention in general practice went together with an increase of activities regarding influenza vaccination. Regional monitoring of the influenza vaccination provides data with which the prevention programme can be improved.