Seasonal influenza immunization program outside general practice: An evaluation.

With the support of our local Public Health and NHS England teams, we developed a pathway of care to provide seasonal influenza vaccination to our heroin dependent service users. 340 of the 515 service users receiving opioid substitution treatment (OST) were offered the vaccination in the 2014/15 influenza season and 205 accepted it. A further 29 service users received the vaccination elsewhere. With over 50% of those on OST prescriptions known to have a diagnosed chronic condition, such as liver or respiratory disease, this was a worthwhile health intervention in a population that is known to be "hard to reach." In addition to the potential benefit to the individuals who received the seasonal influenza vaccination, there was also an opportunity to provide health advice and information surrounding chronic disease management. Service user feedback overwhelmingly supported the provision of seasonal influenza vaccination within Drug and Alcohol services.