Abstract
BackgroundInfluenza immunization among elderly people with disabilities is a critical public health concern; however, few studies have examined the factors associated with vaccination rates in non-Western societies.MethodsBy linking the National Disability Registration System and health service claims dataset from the National Health Insurance program, this population-based study investigated the seasonal influenza vaccination rate among elderly people with disabilities in Taiwan (N = 283,172) in 2008. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to adjust for covariates.ResultsNationally, only 32.7% of Taiwanese elderly people with disabilities received influenza vaccination. The strongest predictor for getting vaccinated among older Taiwanese people with disabilities was their experience of receiving an influenza vaccination in the previous year (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 6.80, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.67–6.93). Frequent OPD use (AOR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.81–1.89) and undergoing health examinations in the previous year (AOR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.62–1.69) also showed a moderate and significant association with receiving an influenza vaccination.ConclusionsAlthough free influenza vaccination has been provided in Taiwan since 2001, influenza immunization rates among elderly people with disabilities remain low. Policy initiatives are required to address the identified factors for improving influenza immunization rates among elderly people with disabilities.
Highlights
Seasonal influenza, a critical public health concern, has caused substantial disease-related and economic burdens worldwide
The strongest predictor for getting vaccinated among older Taiwanese people with disabilities was their experience of receiving an influenza vaccination in the previous year
Frequent outpatient department (OPD) use (AOR = 1.85, 95% confidence intervals (CIs): 1.81–1.89) and undergoing health examinations in the previous year (AOR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.62–1.69) showed a moderate and significant association with receiving an influenza vaccination
Summary
A critical public health concern, has caused substantial disease-related and economic burdens worldwide. The annual epidemics of seasonal influenza have been estimated to contribute to 3–5 million severe cases and approximately 250,000–500,000 deaths [1]. 90% of seasonal influenza-related deaths and 50%–70% of seasonal influenza-related hospitalizations occur among elderly aged 65 years or older and high risk groups [2, 3]. By 2014, it had increased to 4.87% of the total population, and 38.18% of them were adults aged 65 years and older [9]. The pace of population aging in Taiwan is one of the rapidest in the world and, both primary prevention and health promotion among the disabled elderly are urgently needed [10]. Influenza immunization among elderly people with disabilities is a critical public health concern; few studies have examined the factors associated with vaccination rates in non-Western societies
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