Influenza and pneumococcal vaccine coverage among patients admitted to an acute geriatric unit

Abstract

Elderly patients are particularly affected by influenza and pneumococcal infections and consequences of these infections in this population are huge because of the frailty of these patients. Vaccines are nevertheless available to prevent these diseases. The aim of the study was to assess influenza and anti-pneumococcal vaccination coverage among patients admitted in acute geriatric unit and the characteristics of the vaccinated patients. We conducted a prospective observational study involving 149 patients admitted in this kind of unit. Among these patients, influenza coverage was 73.8%. Vaccination rate was significantly higher among institutionalized patients (p=0.01), patients with cognitive disorders (p=0.01) and semi-dependant patients (p=0.02). Anti-pneumococcal vaccination was recommended for 55.7% of the patients because of their comorbidities. Among this specific population, vaccination coverage was very low (10.8%). The best vaccination rate was observed for semi-dependant patients (p<0.05). In opposition to influenza vaccination, anti-pneumococcal vaccination coverage is very low among hospitalized elderly patients despite their frailty. We should focus our efforts to improve vaccination rate in this specific population.