1. InFLUencing low vaccine uptake- A quality improvement approach
A self-audit tool was developed (Appendix 1) based on the literature (11)
InFLUencing low vaccine uptake-
A quality improvement approach
Dr. Frances Notman1, Liz McGovern1, Dr. Jim McMenamin2, Syed Ahmed2, Dr. David Cromie3, Jennifer Reid4
1Public Health pharmacy PPSU GGC, 2Health protection Scotland, 3Lanarkshire Health Board, 4Public Health Protection Unit,
Results
Response to audit
Most common areas of non-compliance with the audit criteria
Comparison of flu immunisation uptake for the study cohort and the rest of GGC for 2016 and 2017 flu seasons
The differences in flu immunisation uptake between the 2016 and 2017 flu seasons was calculated for each practice in the cohort and the control. An independent Sample t-test indicated no significant difference in the mean difference in uptake between 2016 and 2017 flu seasons for the cohort and the control (P=0.373, 95% CI) 
INTRODUCTION
Flu is a serious illness killing between 8 and 44 per 100,000 of the population annually, increasing hospital admissions, prolonging treatment and work absenteeism1
Flu immunisation is the most effective method of prevention
Uptake varies considerably amongst GP practices.
By adopting a quality improvement approach GP practices might improve flu immunisation uptake in their at risk patients to provide improved cost effective care.
75.4% (n=57) practices invited completed the self-audit
AIM
To evaluate the effect of a GP practice self-audit tool and feedback report on flu vaccine uptake in the at risk groups under age 65
More than 75% participant practices did not collaborate with community midwives or pharmacists
Method
Self audit tool
developed based on the literature2
comprised of closed-ended questions
four sections: personnel; documentation; invitation and recall; and administering the
vaccine
Feedback Report
based on responses to each of the questions in the audit
contained recommendations for the practice to implement in the current flu season
Identify and invite GP practices
(lowest 25th percentile for flu vaccine uptake in for 16/17 flu season)
Send self-audit for completion
(x2 reminders)
Generate feedback report
Encourage sharing of report internally and externally
Report to community pharmacy
Nov 17
Survey views of self-audit and feedback report
January 18
Conduct interviews-
March 18
Compare vaccine uptake Intervention with rest of GGC
To March 2018 there was a 2.9% increase in flu immunisation uptake between 2016 and 2017 flu seasons.
However, for the remaining GGC practices there was a 0.9% decrease in flu immunisation uptake for the same time period.
 Conclusion
The participation rate was good and although the intervention appeared to influence uptake of flu vaccine the difference between the two seasons was not significant.
There were also external factors (i.e. Media coverage of the ‘bad flu season and bad press about the effectiveness of the vaccine which may have influenced patients choices to access the flu vaccine.
References
The Scottish Government. Seasonal Influenza (Flu) vaccination programme , SGHD/CMO(2017) 11. Available at Accessed Jan 2018
University of Sheffield. Increasing influenza immunisation: Understanding seasonal influenza vaccination
practice in primary care and identifying the correlates of higher influenza rates. Available at Accessed Jan 2018
Acknowledgements
This project was funded by a research grant from Health Improvement Scotland iHUB
The authors would also like to acknowledge the support of the steering group committee members