Project based approach to increasing uptake of influenza vaccine in an underachieving GP practice

Influenza is a major cause of morbidity and mortality (DH, 2006; Watson et al 2001). In the United Kingdom (UK), the policy of encouraging influenza vaccine uptake in elderly people is a central tenet of managing winter pressures in the National Health Service (NHS) and preventing ill health among older people in the community. A project based management approach was used to evaluate the organisational practice within a single-handed general practitioner (GP) practice during the 2005/06 Influenza Immunisation Programme. The project highlighted a number of problems such as a poorly structured programme, insufficient knowledge about the severity of influenza or the efficacy of the vaccine, and insufficient computer technology. A stepwise process and a number of evidence based interventions were implemented with the aim of increasing the uptake of influenza vaccine in the target population. The overall aim of the project was to show a measured practice increase in the number of older people, defined as 65 years and over, taking up influenza vaccine within one influenza campaign. An increase of 35.71% was achieved. The findings of this project have the potential to inform and enhance the design and implementation of the influenza programmes in other practices that are experiencing difficulties in achieving a good influenza immunisation uptake.