The information network of senior citizens in Geneva, Switzerland, and progress in flu vaccination coverage between 1991 and 2000

Abstract Switzerland has lagged behind other industrialized countries in increasing vaccination coverage against flu in the elderly population. The information campaign “United against Flu”, started in Geneva in 1993, gradually extended to other French and Italian speaking cantons in Switzerland and indirectly affected German-speaking cantons. Activities developed include the production of TV spots, press conferences, information forwarded to health professionals, an Internet site and information material such as leaflets and posters to risk groups. The campaign is evaluated by repeated surveys that measure vaccination coverage as well as network of informants, knowledge and perceptions in the geriatric population. Vaccination coverage of the geriatric population in Geneva canton has increased from 29% in 1991 to 59% in the year 2000.