PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Lauren Claire Nisbet
AU  - Annie M Cobbledick
AU  - Tessa E Smith
AU  - Penelope A Bryant
AU  - Joanna Lawrence
TI  - Opportunistic influenza vaccination in the home: broadening access in isolated times
AID  - 10.1136/archdischild-2020-320273
DP  - 2021 Aug 01
TA  - Archives of Disease in Childhood
PG  - 812--814
VI  - 106
IP  - 8
4099  - http://adc.bmj.com/content/106/8/812.short
4100  - http://adc.bmj.com/content/106/8/812.full
SO  - Arch Dis Child2021 Aug 01; 106
AB  - Background Influenza is a vaccine-preventable infection that causes serious illness. The mandate to prevent an influenza epidemic has increased with the COVID-19 pandemic. However, isolation restrictions have reduced interactions with healthcare professionals. We aimed to determine whether these barriers could be overcome by offering vaccination via an ambulatory setting for the first time.Methods During a 12-week period, patients receiving care through the Hospital-in-the-Home programme were offered immunisation during their home visit. Logistical cold chain barriers were addressed, and patient acceptance was measured.Results Cooler boxes with temperature loggers were designed to monitor the cold chain. 157 eligible patients were contacted, of whom 96 (61%) consented and received in-home injectable influenza vaccine, with no major adverse events. 52/96 (54%) were first-time influenza vaccine recipients. Most refusals (28/41, 68%) were for immunisation concerns, not home administration.Conclusion This pilot shows ambulatory influenza vaccination is feasible, safe and overcomes some barriers.De-identified data are available on reasonable request.