Audit of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination uptake in diabetic patients attending secondary care in the Northern Region.

AIMS: To document uptake of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in diabetic patients attending secondary care in the Northern Region, and to explore influencing factors.
METHODS: Diabetic patients attending out-patients in Middlesbrough, Gateshead and Newcastle were questioned from October 1999 to March 2000. Physicians inquired about influenza and pneumococcal vaccination status using a standardized questionnaire. Data collected included age, year of diagnosis, duration of diabetes, type of diabetes, and the presence of other recognized indications for vaccination.
RESULTS: Two hundred and sixty-eight diabetic patients, 42% (113/268) with Type 1 diabetes, 34% (91/268) with ischaemic heart disease, 10% (26/268) with chronic pulmonary disease (CPD) and 10% (27/268) with chronic renal disease, were questioned. Thirty-five percent (93/268) of patients received both influenza and pneumococcal vaccines, 24% (64/268) received only influenza vaccine, and none received pneumococcus vaccine alone. Most vaccinees received advice about influenza and pneumococcal vaccination from their general practitioner (90% (142/157) and 87% (81/93), respectively). A large number of non-vaccinees were unaware of the need for influenza and pneumococcal vaccination (69% (76/111) and 91% (159/175), respectively). Using multiple logistic regression co-existing CPD increased the odds of receiving influenza (odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)) = 1.99 (1.07-14.12)) or pneumococcal (OR = 3.77 (1.69-21.76)) vaccination. Furthermore, each 1-year increase in age increased the chance of receiving influenza or pneumococcal vaccination by 22% (OR = 1.22 (1.09-1.67) and 29% (OR = 1.29 (1.07-1.72)), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: Vaccination rates in these diabetic patients are unsatisfactory. Secondary care health professionals might increase rates by raising the topic in consultations. Diabet. Med. 18, 599-603 (2001)