Does Vaccinating against Influenza in a Given Epidemic Season Have an Impact on Vaccination in the Next Season: A Follow-Up Study

Maria Ganczak, Paulina Dubiel, Marzena Drozd-Dąbrowska and Marcin Korzeń
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Maria Ganczak: Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Zielona Góra, Zyty 28, 65-046 Zielona Góra, Poland
Paulina Dubiel: Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Zielona Góra, Zyty 28, 65-046 Zielona Góra, Poland
Marzena Drozd-Dąbrowska: Primary Care Clinic, Parkowa 7, 74-100 Gryfino, Poland
Marcin Korzeń: Department of Artificial Intelligence and Applied Mathematics, West Pomeranian Institute of Technology, Zolnierska 48, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 13, 1-11

Abstract: To improve the uptake of influenza vaccine in the elderly, it is important to understand the factors that predict vaccination. The study objective was to explain influenza vaccination uptake in the next season (2019/2020) in a sample of primary care clinic patients from Gryfino, Poland, vaccinated in 2018/2019 with the free-of-charge quadrivalent vaccine. A baseline and a follow-up survey assessed respondent intentions to receive a vaccine (2018), then (2020) vaccine uptake and its predictors. Patients ( n = 108, 54.6% males, M age = 66.7 ± 6.7) filled in a researcher-administered questionnaire. A majority (69.3%) intended to get vaccinated in the next season, with 25.9% receipt. Of those willing to be immunized, only 31.9% were vaccinated in the next season; of those whose decision was dependent on reimbursement, none received influenza vaccine; of undecided patients, 23.1% were vaccinated. Multivariable analysis indicated that living with a partner (OR 6.22, p = 0.01), being employed (OR = 4.55, p = 0.05) and past vaccination behavior (OR 4.12; p = 0.04) were predictors of vaccine uptake. The findings show limited follow-through on initial influenza vaccination plans for the nearest season in previously vaccinated elderly patients. Future interventions should additionally focus on unanticipated barriers to vaccination, such as those revealed in this study, to increase vaccination coverage rates.

Keywords: vaccination; influenza; intentions; coverage; predictors; elderly; follow-up study (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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