title: Systematic review of interventions to increase influenza vaccination rates of those 60 years and older.
abstract: A systematic literature review identified 44 RCTs testing interventions to increase influenza vaccination rates among seniors >or=60. Case-control and cohort studies were excluded after review because of problems identifying secular trends and unknown confounders. Because of heterogeneity and unique interventions tested by a single or a few RCTs few studies could be pooled in meta-analysis. Using the CDC classification of interventions: (1) Increasing community demand: there is evidence of low quality that reminders increase influenza vaccination rates; (2) Increasing access: there is evidence of moderate quality that home visits to those >or=60 promoting influenza vaccination increase rates, and (3) Provider- and system-based interventions: there is evidence of moderate quality that facilitators working to improve preventive interventions in practices increase rates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, University of Calgary, 1707-1632 14th Avenue, Calgary, Alberta T2M 1N7, Canada.
authors.forename: Roger E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Margaret L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: Diane L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Lorenzetti
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D017010:Reminder Systems
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines