Improved uptake of influenza vaccination in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is possible using a multimodal approach, according to a recent study. Patients with RA were enrolled from a single center and each rheumatology outpatient visit was tracked for missed opportunities for influenza vaccination, defined as a visit in which an unvaccinated patient without contraindications remained unvaccinated or lacked documentation of vaccine recommendation in the electronic medical record. 228 patients with RA were enrolled (904 preintervention visits) and 197 returned for at least 1 postintervention visit (721 postintervention visits). Researchers found:

• The preintervention frequency of any missed opportunities for influenza vaccination was 47%.
• This was reduced to 23% postintervention.
• Younger age, less frequent office visits, higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and negative attitudes about vaccines were each independently associated with missed opportunities preintervention.
• Postintervention, these factors were no longer associated with missed opportunities; however, the intervention was not as effective in non-Hispanic black patients, non-English speakers, those residing outside the New York City metropolitan area, and those reporting prior adverse reactions to vaccines.