Perceptions of influenza and influenza vaccination in patients attending hospital outpatient clinics

Influenza remains a major cause of morbidity and disruption to health services during winter. Annual vaccination of risk groups is the mainstay of influenza management policy. Despite much national publicity, vaccine uptake remains below desired levels. We investigated the perceptions of influenzal illness and opinions on vaccination in hospital outpatients attending clinics associated with risk and non-risk (i.e. control) morbidities. There were 270 recruited patients in risk groups: 90 each from diabetic, respiratory and cardiac clinics and equal numbers in three age groups (40-49, 50-59, 60-69 years). Equal numbers of controls were recruited from colorectal, fracture and dermatology clinics. The perceptions of influenza and knowledge of the preventive value of vaccination were fairly accurate in both groups. Fewer people in both groups had been vaccinated than had been specifically advised to be vaccinated. Advice for vaccination had been received by fewer people attending the cardiac clinic than the other two risk associated clinics. More use could be made of the health education opportunity afforded by attendance at hospital outpatient clinics.