Improvement of flu vaccination coverage in people over 65 years old. Strategy developed in a health area of Asturias

Abstract

Background: Influenza vaccination rates among adults over 65 years have not reached the minimum levels recommended by the health authorities in Asturias during previous vaccination campaigns. The objective of this study is to describe the characteristics of an influenza vaccination strategy and its effectiveness.

Methods: Strategy developed during the 2019-2020 influenza vaccination campaign in the Área Sanitaria VII in the Servicio de Salud of the Principado de Asturias. The target population were people over 65 years. The strategy consisted of training sessions for professionals and the general population, information dissemination through the media, overt recommendations for the vaccination of hospital personnel and social recognition of the professionals involved. The vaccination rates were described and a two-tailed hypothesis test was used to determine the differences in the vaccination percentages.

Results: The percentage of vaccination in the Área Sanitaria VII went from 56.29% in the 2018-2019 campaign to 65.82% in the 2019-2020 campaign (+9.53; p<0.001). During the same campaign, the percentage of vaccination in Asturias was 57,38%, that is, 8,44% less than in the intervened Área Sanitaria.

Conclusions: The strategy proved effective in increasing the rates of influenza vaccination among adults over 65 years in the Área Sanitaria VII of the Principado de Asturias.