A scheme to promote the flu vaccine among pensioners in Canley and Tile Hill made a bigger impact than a more conventional approach in the whole of the rest of the city.

A special free lunch was put on by members of Canley and Tile Hill Area Co-ordination Team at the Triple Triangle Club in Jardine Crescent, Tile Hill to encourage people to get their jab last December.

A similar bingo and afternoon tea was held at the Community Centre in Prior Deram Walk, Canley, for elderly residents.

Pensioners were invited to come along and meet other elderly people who had previously had the jab so they could dispel any fears about it.

GPs wrote to pensioners on their books and encouraged them to go along, and the Energy Advice Centre also got involved to give tips on staying warm during the winter months.

Transport was provided for the people who wanted to come along.

And a study of the take-up of the scheme compared with a city-wide campaign running at the same time shows that the co-ordinated approach was far more successful.

Sessions in the rest of Coventry cost around £700 but vaccinated just nine people, while the events in Canley and Tile Hill cost £440, with 54 people getting the jab.

Area Co-ordinator David Galliers said that the example in Canley and Tile Hill was one of a series of successes around the city.

He added that the lessons learned were being shared around the city.

Mr Galliers said:

"Sometimes one problem is presented and there are quite complex issues to be solved.

"On other occasions, such as this example, area co-ordination offices can take a lead and deliver a better service through a partnership approach."
  

SEE: [28 MAR 00] AREA COORDINATION EXPANDS TO WHOLE CITY

SEE: [28 MAR 00] BUTTS RESIDENTS HELPED TO CLEAR PROBLEM