Incentive could up pneumococcal vax rate.

Australian Doctor,  May, 2006  

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By Cathy Saunders

PAYING GPs an incentive to improve the rate of pneumococcal vaccinations in the elderly could be one way of tackling the low take-up of the free vaccine, an expert suggests.

Associate Professor Michael Woodward, medical director of aged and residential care services at Austin Hospital in Melbourne, was commenting on a national survey showing 41% of Australians aged 65 and over had not had the vaccine.

He said a catch-up campaign for the elderly was needed because this group was at risk of serious consequences of pneumococcal infection, including ...

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