Why is vaccination frequency low in elderly patients?

Abstract

Aim The aim of the study is to investigate the frequency of vaccination in elderly outpatients, the reasons for not vaccinating despite vaccination recommendations and the related factors.Methods The prospective study was done between June 2013- March 2015 and included patients who applied to the outpatient clinic for the first time, regularly attended to the controls and had at least 1 year of follow-up. Vaccination education was given to patients. At final assessment, the patients were interviewed by telephone. Vaccinations of all patients and why non-vaccinated patients were not vaccinated were questioned. All data were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods.Results Of 267 patients enrolled in the study, mean age was 77±7.1 and mean follow-up period was 19.7±5.5 (month)were. At the end of follow-up, vaccination rates were: pneumococcal vaccine (PV) 21%, Influenza (IV) 35%, and tetanus-diphtheria (TdV) 8%. PV was found in a statistically significant relation between, IV (r=0.63, p<0.001), TdV (r=0.28, p<0.001), the inadequacy of information given by the physician and/or physician not telling to definitely do it (r=-0.43, p<0.001) and no previous vaccination recommendation (r=0.12, p=0.05). IV was found in a statistically significant relation between, PV (r=0.63, p<0.001), TdV (r=0.21, p<0.001), the inadequacy of information given by the physician and/or physician not telling to definitely do it (r=-0.46, p<0.001) and despite vaccination education missing to be vaccinated (r=0.20, p=0.01).Conclusion Vaccination frequency in elderly patients is lower than expected, although they are recommended to be vaccinated. The most common reason is the inadequacy of information given
by the physician and/or physician not telling to definitely do it.

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