Is there a role for inpatient influenza vaccination programmes?

Abstract

Introduction: Patients with chronic liver disease have much higher mortality associated with influenza compared to other risk groups (1). Influenza vaccine uptake is much lower in adults with chronic liver disease (37.3%) compared to adults aged over 65 (72.4%) or other risk groups (44.9%) (2).Hospital-based interventions for inpatients have been shown to increase uptake (3).Vaccination records of patients admitted to a Hepatology ward were reviewed retrospectively to understand what proportion were eligible but did not receive annual influenza vaccine through current services. Methods: Data was collected for inpatients 26th September 2020 to 29th November 2020. GP records were used to check vaccination status within the window 01/09/2020 to 28/02/2021. Patients not registered with a local GP or deceased were excluded. We compared the rates of vaccination between at risk groups. Results: 134 were eligible for influenza vaccination and inclusion. 95 (70.9%) were not immunised at the time of admission. 36 (29.1%) went on to be immunised in the same influenza season, leaving 59 (44.0%) of individuals not receiving a vaccine at all. Discussion: Vaccination rates are below the 75% target. Most patients, who were eligible at the time of admission, never received an influenza vaccination. An inpatient influenza vaccination programme could utilise this missed opportunity to increase vaccine uptake.