Analysis of the status and related factors of vaccination against respiratory diseases among elderly people aged ≥60 in Zhejiang Province

Abstract

The objective of this study is to assess the current status of vaccination against respiratory disease among the elderly aged ≥60 and analyze the factors influencing vaccination rates at both service provider and recipient levels in Zhejiang Province. Using a stratified random sampling method, a questionnaire survey was conducted from September 2022 to January 2023 among elderly people aged ≥60 in 30 townships/streets in Zhejiang Province, as well as immunization planning staff at the provincial, municipal, county/district, and township/street levels. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the factors related to vaccination among elderly people in Zhejiang Province. Based on the Zhejiang Provincial Comprehensive Management Information System for Vaccine and Vaccination, the systematic coverage rates of influenza vaccine and pneumonia vaccine for the elderly were 21.76% and 4.57%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that advanced age (OR=1.74, 95%CI: 1.51-1.99), knowing that influenza is more severe than the common cold (OR=1.67, 95%CI: 1.37-2.04) and having heard of the influenza vaccine (OR=9.78, 95%CI: 7.03-13.59) were motivating factors for elderly to receive influenza vaccines. Advanced age (OR=1.71, 95%CI: 1.43-2.06), knowing the serious consequences of pneumonia in the elderly (OR=1.93, 95%CI: 1.47-2.55) and knowing that pneumonia vaccines can prevent pneumonia (OR=6.36, 95%CI: 4.84-8.36) were motivating factors for elderly to receive pneumonia vaccines. Zhejiang Immunization Program staff believed that the main reasons why the elderly aged ≥60 would not be vaccinated against influenza or pneumonia were that they felt they would not get sick (55.52% and 56.35% respectively), it would not be serious if get sick (47.73% and 37.46% respectively), lacking trust in vaccine efficacy and safety (38.31% and 43.69% respectively). Vaccination rates for influenza and pneumonia vaccines among the elderly aged ≥60 in Zhejiang Province are suboptimal. Advanced age, awareness of the severity of respiratory diseases and awareness of vaccines against such diseases are related factors for elderly individuals to receive influenza and pneumonia vaccines.