Flu vaccination in carers version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigation into barriers to influenza immunisation uptake in unpaid carers in Wales in the 2019/20 influenza season: a mixed methods study
IRAS ID
265156
Contact name
Mari Morgan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Public Health Wales NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 31 days
Research summary
Influenza infection can result in severe illness and death. Seasonal influenza immunisation is offered free of charge to people falling into certain age and risk groups. Since the 2005/06 influenza season, it has been offered to carers, defined as: “those who are in receipt of a Carer’s Allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill.”
For carers to access their free immunisation, they need to self-identify to GPs, or be proactively identified by GPs. Alternatively, they can demonstrate evidence of their carer status to be vaccinated at a community pharmacy. Surveillance data from general practices in Wales indicate that only a small proportion of carers receive influenza immunisation. Approximately 15,000 carers aged under 65 were recorded on GP systems as having been immunised against influenza in 2017/18, whereas nearly 60,000 carers aged under 65 are registered for Carer’s Allowance and census data shows 282,000 persons aged under 65 are providing some level of unpaid care.
We plan to investigate the barriers to immunisation of carers through a mixed methods study. We will carry out a cross sectional survey of knowledge and attitudes to influenza immunisation amongst a sample of carers following the 2019/20 influenza season. We will also conduct focus groups and in depth interviews to investigate in more depth barriers for individual carers and service providers. We will recruit carers to complete the questionnaire and participate in the focus groups and interviews via third sector carers’ organisations in Wales. We will recruit service providers through existing Public Health Wales networks.
Findings from this study will be used to inform the influenza immunisation policy in Wales.
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/NW/0486
Date of REC Opinion
20 Aug 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion