Influenza vaccination prevalence among the elderly and individuals with chronic disease, and factors affecting vaccination uptake.

Pinar Korkmaz,Türkan Paşali Kilit,Duru Mistanoglu Ozatag,Onur Toka,Kevser Onbaşi

doi:10.21101/cejph.a5231

Pinar Korkmaz, Türkan Paşali Kilit + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.21101/cejph.a5231

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Abstract

Our aim is to evaluate influenza vaccination rates among the elderly and individuals with underlying chronic disease, and factors that affect vaccination uptake. The study comprised individuals aged 18-65 years with underlying chronic diseases, and individuals aged over 65 years. Literature-based questionnaires prepared by the researcher regarding vaccination were completed through face-to-face interviews by the principal investigator. A total of 818 participants were included in the study, 257 (31.4%) were males. The mean age of participants was 57.47 ± 14.11 years; 274 (33.5%) were aged 65 years and over. One hundred and three (12.6%) participants stated that they received vaccinations against influenza annually, and 144 (17.6%) stated that they had vaccination against influenza in the 2015/16 or 2016/17 season. Fifty-two (19%) participants aged more than 65 years stated that they received vaccinations against influenza annually, 75 (27.4%) stated that they had vaccination against influenza in the 2015/16 or 2016/17 season. The most commonly determined reasons for not receiving vaccination were not knowing that it was necessary (34%) and believing that vaccination was not necessary because they were healthy (26%). Statistically significantly more participants who gained their knowledge from a physician were vaccinated than those whose knowledge came from other sources (p < 0.05). Participants who considered that they had sufficient information about influenza were vaccinated more frequently, the results were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Informing target risk groups about influenza vaccination by physicians and increasing awareness about influenza may contribute to increasing vaccination rates.

Highlights

Seasonal influenza is an acute viral upper respiratory tract infection caused by influenza viruses
Of the participants aged over 65 years, 52 (19%) stated that they had vaccinations for influenza annually, and 75 (27.4%) stated that they had been vaccinated against influenza in the 2015–2016 or 2016–2017 season
In the first study by Biberoglu et al [13] that evaluated all relevant risk groups and the elderly together, the influenza vaccination rates in individuals aged over 65 years, individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and those with diabetes mellitus were reported as 5.9%, 14.9%, and 9.1%, respectively

Summary

Introduction

Seasonal influenza is an acute viral upper respiratory tract infection caused by influenza viruses. The most efficient way to prevent influenza is through vaccination. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends annual vaccination for each individual aged over six months [2]. The risk for influenza-related complications, influenza-related hospitalization, and mortality associated with influenza is higher in the elderly and individuals with underlying chronic disease. Influenza vaccination may be less effective in preventing disease, but it reduces the severity of the disease, influenza-related complications, and death in the elderly. Vaccination is especially important for people at higher risk of serious influenza complications [1, 3]. Influenza vaccination is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) for risk groups [1, 3]

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