Intervention programs to increase influenza vaccination in Israel: which is the preferred one?

Influenza vaccine is the most effective method of preventing influenza and its complications, but coverage rates are not satisfactory. Therefore, an effective intervention is required to increase vaccination coverage. In a recent study published in IJHPR, Yamin et al. identified the need to target risk perception in the public, as a major intervention tool. Risk perception and compliance with vaccination guidelines was found to be mostly influenced by physician recommendations. These findings are in-line with similar findings in the literature, stressing the importance of patient-physician interaction in the patients’ decision to comply with vaccination guidelines produced by the public health authorities. They also underscore the need to involve primary physicians in both the decision making process as well in the vaccination campaign.