Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in Scottish nursing homes: coverage, policies and reasons for receipt and non-receipt of vaccine.

A national survey was carried out to determine the coverage of influenza and pneumococcal vaccines, policies, reasons for receipt, non-receipt of vaccine and strategies to improve vaccine coverage in Scottish nursing homes. Of the 550 nursing homes, 72% (394) participated in the study. Overall coverage was 85% for influenza vaccine in 2001-2002 season and 11% for pneumococcal vaccine in the last 5-year period. Only 6% (23/394) of homes were reported to have a systematic immunization record. The most frequently stated reasons for improved coverage of both vaccines were clear immunization policies (76%), awareness and education for staff and residents (68%), and consent on behalf of the incompetent residents (66%). The presence of vaccination policies was higher for influenza vaccine than pneumococcal vaccine expressed as verbal agreement (27% versus 3%), written policies with set target (24% versus 5%) and written policies without set target (17% versus 2%). Advice from the members of the community health care team was the principal reason for the receipt of both vaccines. The predominant reasons for non-receipt of vaccine were refusal by residents and family members (both vaccines) and lack of advice from general practitioners (pneumococcal vaccine). The substantial disparity in coverage of influenza and pneumococcal vaccine reflects the lack of national recommendations and policies for reimbursements for pneumococcal vaccination. These data suggest that greater efforts are needed to improve prevention behaviors of health care professionals and the public, organized vaccine delivery strategies and systematic vaccination documents to increase influenza and pneumococcal vaccination rates in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.