Predictors of influenza vaccination among elderly: a cross-sectional survey in Greece

Abstract

Background Senior individuals are particularly vulnerable to influenza. Research suggests that protection against the virus and its transmission in this high-risk group of the population can be achieved by active immunization against the pathogen. Aims To explore and analyze the attitudes, knowledge and behavior of people over the age of 60 on influenza vaccination. Population and methods This cross-sectional survey included people over the age of 60 who were eligible candidates for the influenza vaccine from 3 regions from Northern and 1 region from Southern Greece. A self-completed questionnaire based upon the Theory of Planned Behaviour, the Motivation for Vaccination (MoVac-flu) and the Vaccination Advocacy Scale (MovAd) was administered to the participants. Demographic characteristics and information about health status were also obtained. Results The final sample included 318 participants with mean age of 70.7 years. More than half of the participants (56.6%) had received a flu vaccine in 2018 while 50.8% received it annually in previous years. Behavioral (p < 0.001), normative (p < 0.001), and control beliefs (p < 0.001), promoted the uptake of the vaccine and the increased intention score (p < 0.001) was associated with increased probability of vaccination. Greater age (p = 0.001) and frequent visits to the doctors (p = 0.003) had a positive influence upon the uptake of the vaccine. Conclusions Only a small proportion of those over the age of 60 had received the influenza vaccine. This finding is worrying, as it indicates the impact that a future outbreak of seasonal influenza could exert upon vulnerable groups. There is an urgent need for further, better and more evidence-based information from healthcare professionals to achieve greater vaccination coverage in the community.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of seasonal influenza vaccination among older adults in nursing homes and daycare centers, Honduras

“…These findings are in contrast to other studies that identified advanced age [13], female sex [47], married [48,49], and concurrent chronic diseases [11,47] as important predictors of vaccination among older adults. The most cited reasons for vaccination were perceived benefits, favorable vaccination hours, healthcare worker and peer recommendations, and previous positive experiences, which are consistent with the literature [11][12][13][14]. Older adults who receive direct recommendations from healthcare personnel are less likely to be concerned of side effects, which may increase vaccination uptake [10,11].…”

“…Knowledge of influenza transmission and vaccination was high, which is consistent with other studies of older adults [13,38]. High knowledge and coverage of influenza among older adults in Honduras may be attributed to SESAL's robust EPI, which is supported by WHO, PAHO, and United Nations Children's Fund [39], and aims to vaccinate >500,000 older adults for seasonal influenza during vaccination campaigns [40].…”

“…Reasons cited in other studies for non-vaccination for seasonal influenza among older adults include safety concerns, lack of knowledge, poor understanding of adverse health outcomes, and belief that vaccination causes influenza [10][11][12]. Conversely, factors associated with vaccination include pressure from family and friends, previous positive experiences, and frequent interactions with healthcare systems [11,13,14].…”

Vaccination Coverage of the Elderly in Greece: A Cross-Sectional Nationwide Study

“…The results from another local study in Catalonia, Spain, showed that 38.7% had received PPSV-23 at any time during the last 5 years and only 0.7% at all age groups from the population study had received conjugate pneumococcal vaccine (PCV-13) in the previous 5 years [ 19 ]. Another study from one region of Greece with 318 participants (56.6%) had received a flu vaccine in 2018, while 50.8% received it annually in previous years' significant difference with the present study [ 20 ].…”

Trends, Coverage and Influencing Determinants of Influenza Vaccination in the Elderly: A Population-Based National Survey in Spain (2006–2017)

“…Regarding marital status, we found that being widowed increased the decision to become immunized while being separated or divorced decreased it. Despite some authors [60][61][62] finding no relationship between those variables, marital status is considered an important predictor of healthcare utilization. In fact, marriage may influence health status not only through the support and protection that marriage offers, but also through a more efficient pattern of healthcare utilization.…”