• K Armstrong, M Berlin, J S Schwartz, K Propert, and P A Ubel.
• Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia 19118, USA.
• J Gen Intern Med. 1999 Nov 1; 14 (11): 695698695-8.

ObjectiveTo determine if a mailed patient education brochure (addressing demonstrated reasons for vaccination refusal) would result in a higher rate of influenza vaccination than a mailed postcard reminder without educational content.DesignRandomized, controlled trial.SettingUrban, predominantly African-American, low-income community.ParticipantsThere were 740 community-dwelling individuals aged 65 years and older in the study.MeasurementsReceipt of influenza vaccination and beliefs about influenza and influenza vaccination were measured by telephone survey self-report.Main ResultsWe successfully contacted 202 individuals (69.9%) who received the postcard reminder and 229 individuals (71.1%) who received the educational brochure. People receiving the educational brochure were more likely to report influenza vaccination during the previous vaccination season than those who received the postcard reminder (66.4% vs 56.9%, p =.04). They also reported more interest in influenza vaccination in the coming year. (66.5% vs 57.1%, p =.05).ConclusionsA mailed educational brochure is more effective than a simple reminder in increasing influenza vaccination rates among inner-city, elderly patients.

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