title: Elderly African-Americans and the influenza vaccine: the impact of the primary care physician.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite recommendations for annual vaccinations against influenza, many older African-Americans do not receive this vaccine. For 1 month in our private medical offices, we conducted a survey to estimate the vaccination rate for our practice, the reasons why older African-Americans declined to be vaccinated, and any impact we could make on their misconceptions about its safety and efficacy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted in a three-physician private practice of geriatric/internal medicine in the borough of Queens, New York.
  
  
  METHODS
  231 consecutive community-residing patients aged 65 or older were evaluated starting in October 1999.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 231 patients aged 65 to 96 were given a questionnaire asking if they planned to or had already received the influenza vaccine for the 1999-2000 season. Those who had no intention of taking the vaccine were asked why. Categories included: Vaccine not recommended/not recommended strongly enough, vaccine has no benefit, I became ill after being vaccinated, too afraid, I heard it makes people sick, no special reason, allergy to eggs, never had the flu. Those who refused had a brief discussion with their physician and it was noted whether they agreed later to be vaccinated. Ten patients who were not black were excluded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-four percent (98/221) of patients intended to be vaccinated before discussion with their physician. After discussion with their physician about potential side effects, efficacy,safety, the percentage rose to 63% (139/221). This compares favorably with the national health objective of 60% or greater for the year 2000 in this population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The primary care physician had a significant impact on the increase of the influenza vaccination rate among older African-Americans in our study from 44 to 63%.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, New York Hospital Medical Center of Queens, Queens, NY, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nicoleau
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Nicoleau
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Balzora
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oboh
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Siddiqui
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rosenberg