Low vaccination coverage for seasonal influenza and pneumococcal disease among adults at-risk and health care workers in Ireland, 2013: The key role of GPs in recommending vaccination. Issue 32 (12th July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Giese, Coralie; Mereckiene, Jolita; Danis, Kostas; O'Donnell, Joan; O'Flanagan, Darina; Cotter, Suzanne
• Is Part Of: Vaccine. Volume 34:Issue 32(2016)
• Page Start: 3657
• Page End: 3662
• Publication Date: 2016-07-12
• Subjects: Immunisation -- Influenza -- Pneumococcal -- Vaccination -- At-risk -- Elderly; Vaccines -- Periodicals; 615.372
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.05.028
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-410X

Abstract

Highlights: National telephone survey identified low influenza vaccination uptake among at-risk groups. National telephone survey identified low pneumococcal vaccination uptake among at risk groups for invasive pneumococcal disease. National telephone survey identified that influenza vaccination was associated with GP vaccination recommendation and free access to vaccination services for those at risk. Abstract: The World Health Organization (WHO), and European Agencies recommend influenza vaccination for individuals at-risk due to age (≥65 years), underlying diseases, pregnancy and for health care workers (HCWs) in Europe. Pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for those at-risk of pneumococcal disease. In Ireland, vaccination uptake among at-risk adults is not routinely available. In 2013, we conducted a national survey among Irish residents ≥18 years of age, to estimate size and vaccination coverage of at-risk groups, and identify predictive factors for influenza vaccination. We used computer assisted telephone interviews to collect self-reported information on health, vaccination status, attitudes towards vaccination. We calculated prevalence and prevalence ratios (PR) using binomial regression. Overall, 1770 individuals participated. For influenza, among those aged 18–64 years, 22% (325/1485) [95%CI: 17%–20%] were at-risk; 28% [95%CI: 23%–33%] were vaccinated. Among those aged ≥65 years, 60% [95%CI: 54%–66%] were vaccinated. Influenza vaccine uptake among HCWs was 28% [95%CI: 21%–35%]. For pneumococcal disease, among those aged 18–64 years, 18% [95%CI: 16%–20%] were at-risk; 16% [95%CI: 12%–21%] reported ever-vaccination; among those aged ≥65 years, 36% [95%CI: 30%–42%] reported ever-vaccination. Main reasons for not receiving influenza vaccine were perceptions of not being at-risk, or not thinking of it; and among HCWs thinking that vaccination was not necessary or they were not at-risk. At-risk individuals were more likely to be vaccinated if their doctor had recommended it (PR 3.2; [95%CI: 2.4%-4.4%]) or they had access to free medical care or free vaccination services (PR 2.0; [95%CI: 1.5%-2.8%]). Vaccination coverage for both influenza and pneumococcal vaccines in at-risk individuals aged 18–64 years was very low. Influenza vaccination coverage among individuals ≥65 years was moderate. Influenza vaccination status was associated with GP vaccination recommendation and free access to vaccination services. Doctors should identify and recommend vaccination to at-risk patients to improve uptake.