Associations between COVID-19 Vaccination and Behavioural Intention to Receive Seasonal Influenza Vaccination among Chinese Older Adults: A Population-Based Random Telephone Survey

Abstract

During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, seasonal influenza remained a significant health threat for older adults. Seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) is highly effective and safe for older adults. This study investigated the associations of COVID-19 vaccination, perceptions related to COVID-19 and SIV, with the behavioural intention to receive SIV among older adults in Hong Kong, China. A random telephone survey was conducted among 440 community-dwelling Hong Kong residents aged 65 years or above, between November 2021 and January 2022. Among the participants, 55.7% intended to receive SIV in the next year. After adjustment for significant background characteristics, concern about whether SIV and COVID-19 vaccination would negatively affect each other was associated with a lower intention to receive SIV, while a perceived higher risk of co-infection with COVID-19 and seasonal influenza was positively associated with the dependent variable. In addition, the perceived severe consequences of seasonal influenza, perceived benefits of SIV, received cues to action from doctors and participants’ family members or friends, and the perception that more older people would receive SIV was associated with a higher behavioural intention. Future programmes promoting SIV among older adults should modify perceptions related to COVID-19 vaccination and SIV at the same time.

Intention, Motivation, and Empowerment: Factors Associated with Seasonal Influenza Vaccination among Healthcare Workers (HCWs)

“…Other studies have also suggested that male HCWs have a higher likelihood of vaccine uptake [ 29 ]. In line with our results, similar studies [ 13 , 41 , 42 ] reported an increase in vaccine coverage with age. It may be that older individuals consider themselves more vulnerable to influenza complications, may have a positive experience of influenza vaccination from past years, and may feel a higher risk of severe health problems related to influenza, leading them to be vaccinated.…”

Impact of COVID-19 on Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccination of Psoriatic Patients in Germany: Results from Vac-Pso

“…Conclusively, we found that patients who were willing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 were also more likely to be vaccinated against influenza and pneumococci. The impact of the pandemic on individual perceptions increasing vaccination awareness and uptake has recently been reported by others [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ].…”

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“…Inclusion criteria were age 65 years or older, possession of a Hong Kong identity card, ability to speak Cantonese and/or Mandarin, willingness to participate in follow-up by telephone, access to a smartphone, and no SIV uptake for the 2021 to 2022 influenza season. Exclusion criteria included cognitive impairment, blindness or deafness, inability to communicate effectively, and known contradictions to SIV as indicated by the Centre for Health Protection . A previous study showed that 55.7% of Hong Kong adults 65 years or older intended to receive SIV in the next year during the COVID-19 pandemic .…”

“…Exclusion criteria included cognitive impairment, blindness or deafness, inability to communicate effectively, and known contradictions to SIV as indicated by the Centre for Health Protection . A previous study showed that 55.7% of Hong Kong adults 65 years or older intended to receive SIV in the next year during the COVID-19 pandemic . For planning purposes, we conservatively assumed that 50% of those in the control group would show an intention, and 40% of those with such an intention would obtain SIV (20% of the control group) .…”

“… 16 A previous study showed that 55.7% of Hong Kong adults 65 years or older intended to receive SIV in the next year during the COVID-19 pandemic. 16 For planning purposes, we conservatively assumed that 50% of those in the control group would show an intention, and 40% of those with such an intention would obtain SIV (20% of the control group). 17 We used a smallest detectable difference of 15% between the intervention group and the control group (35% in the intervention group).…”