QIM 4: Proportion of regular clients aged 65 years and over with an influenza immunisation status recorded in their GP record within the previous 15 months
Influenza is a common disease of the respiratory tract. It affects people of all ages. It is estimated that influenza is likely to be associated with more than 3,000 deaths and 13,500 hospitalisations each year in Australia, just in people aged >50 years (ATAGI 2018).
A number of groups are at a higher risk of influenza and its complications. These groups experience higher rates of illness and death associated with influenza than the rest of the population and adults aged ≥65 years is one of the vulnerable population groups. Therefore, annual influenza vaccination is strongly recommended for those aged ≥65 years (ATAGI 2018). The administration of the influenza vaccine to people at risk of complications of infection is the single most important measure in preventing or attenuating influenza infection and preventing mortality. There is evidence that influenza vaccine reduces hospitalisations from influenza and pneumonia and all-cause mortality in adults aged ≥65 years of age. While best practice guidelines recommend annual immunisation, a 15-month interval allows for cases when a client decides to receive a vaccine earlier than recommended (for example, from a pharmacy), or delay and wait for the release of an ‘enhanced’ vaccine (Department of Health 2020b).
Capture of results recorded outside of the general practice setting
Results arising from clinical intervention conducted outside of the service that are known and recorded by the practice are included in the measure. Where immunisation was provided elsewhere but is not known to the practice, this is not captured in the report. For example, this might be where the vaccination providers’ information systems may not be compatible with the clinical information system of the client’s usual general practice.
Other sources of relevant data
There are other administrative data collections where the data on influenza immunisation are captured, for example, the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).
This indicator reports on the proportion of regular clients aged 65 years and over who had an influenza immunisation status recorded in their GP record within the previous 15 months.
QIM 4: Regional proportions
As of July 2022, nationally, 59.9% of regular clients aged 65 years and over had an influenza immunisation status recorded in their GP record in the previous 15 months. This varied from 43.1% to 70.5% across PHNs.