Abstract
Cancer survivors are at increased risk of developing influenza-related complications. The purpose of this study was to investigate the vaccination coverage among cancer survivors in Korea using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Adult cancer survivors were selected from fourth (2007–2009) and fifth (2010–2012) KNHANES (n = 1156) datasets. General characteristics, cancer-related data, and influenza vaccination status were collected using self-report questionnaires. Chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the association between influenza vaccination coverage and associated factors. Overall, 51% of survivors were vaccinated. Vaccine prevalence exceeded 75% in those more than 65 years but was only 26% in survivors aged 19–44. Increasing age, low frequency of alcohol consumption, having poor self-rated health, and having a shorter duration since cancer diagnosis were significant predictors of vaccination status among cancer survivors under 65 years of age. Influenza vaccine coverage remains much lower than recommended among cancer survivors, particularly in the younger age groups. Further study is needed to determine the factors that contribute to the lack of vaccination in cancer survivors, despite their increased risk for influenza.
Highlights
Influenza is a contagious viral respiratory illness
The overall study sample comprised 1156 cancer survivors and 33,971 individuals who had no previous history of cancer
This study investigated the factors relating to influenza vaccine coverage among Korean cancer survivors
Summary
Influenza is a contagious viral respiratory illness. Despite increasing public awareness and an accessible, effective vaccine, influenza remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality [1].Worldwide, annual epidemics result in about three to five million cases of severe illness and about250,000 to 500,000 influenza-related deaths [2]. In Korea, the five-year relative survival rate for cancer has steadily improved from 41.2% in 1993 to 1995, 53.7% in 2001 to 2005, and 64.1% in 2006 to 2010. These improvements in survival rate are due to early cancer detection by screening, along with advances in cancer treatment [6]. Cancer survivors, including those who are currently not undergoing treatment, are considered a high-risk group for influenza infection and its complications, including death and hospitalization [4,7,8]
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