Influencia de nuevas herramientas para aumentar la tasa de vacunación contra la gripe en pacientes considerados de riesgo durante las campañas de los años 2019, 2020 y 2021

Abstract

Introduction

Influenza infection was a significant public health issue that causes substantial morbidity and mortality in the population every year. Vaccination is the most effective measure for its prevention. The aim of this study is to analyze the influence of automated letters as a patient recruitment method after their discontinuation in a population where they were previously used, comparing it with the population of another healthcare center with similar characteristics that has never employed this method.

Materials and methods

An observational and retrospective study was conducted, analyzing the influenza vaccination coverage among the at-risk population in two healthcare centers with very similar population characteristics during three vaccination campaigns (2019, 2020 and 2021). Both descriptive and analytical studies were carried out.

Results

Vaccination rates in the center that actively recruited patients while the letter sending was still in effect were 46.4% in 2019 and 61% in 2020, decreasing to 25.8% in 2021 after its withdrawal (p < 0.001). Influenza vaccination was significantly higher during the 3 campaigns at the health center that used the letter. The groups in which vaccination rates decreased most significantly were those aged 65 and older and those with heart disease.

Conclusions

The implementation of automated letters has proven to be particularly effective among patients considered at risk.