Effectiveness of an influenza vaccine programme for care home staff to prevent death, morbidity, and health service use among residents: cluster randomised controlled trial
BMJ·
- DOI
- 10.1136/bmj.39010.581354.55
- PMID
- 17142257
- PMCID
- PMC1702427
- OpenAlex
- W1992546594
- Study type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Publisher
- BMJ
- Article type
- journal-article
- Integrity
- current
Why this research matters now
The findings suggest that staff influenza vaccination programs in care homes may reduce mortality and healthcare utilization among vulnerable residents during periods of moderate influenza activity.
Structured evidence summary
Research question
The study investigated whether vaccinating care home staff against influenza could indirectly protect residents from death, illness, and healthcare utilization.
Study design
A pair-matched cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted across a large private chain of UK care homes over two winter seasons (2003-4 and 2004-5), comparing outcomes between intervention homes (where staff were offered influenza vaccination) and matched control homes.
Population and setting
The study enrolled 1,703 nursing home staff and 2,604 residents across 44 care homes (22 intervention, 22 matched controls) in the United Kingdom.
Main findings
During the 2003-4 influenza season, intervention homes showed significant reductions compared to controls in resident all-cause mortality (rate difference -5.0 per 100 residents), influenza-like illness, general practitioner consultations, and hospital admissions. Staff vaccination coverage was 48.2% in intervention homes versus 5.9% in controls. During 2004-5, when national influenza rates were substantially below average, no significant differences were observed between groups.
Public-health relevance
The findings suggest that staff influenza vaccination programs in care homes may reduce mortality and healthcare utilization among vulnerable residents during periods of moderate influenza activity.
Important limitations
This summary is limited to the supplied single-article abstract and metadata. The original paper was not available for review of additional limitations, contextual factors, or methodological details that may inform interpretation.
GIDS interpretation
This randomized controlled trial provides controlled evidence regarding staff vaccination and resident outcomes in a specific care home setting. The study period and outcomes are documented within the trial parameters; no connection to live surveillance signals is implied or appropriate from this evidence alone.
Related GIDS surveillance
Literature context does not validate, explain, or change a surveillance signal. Exact and contextual relationships are shown separately.
Evidence relationships
This article has 11 auditable classifier relationships to diseases, places, topics, and study design.