scholarly journals Influenza immunization among Chinese seniors: Urgent calling for improving vaccination coverage, education, and research

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Li ◽  
Sean X. Leng
2021 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 19-25
Author(s):  
Slađana Arsenović ◽  
Tatjana Gazibara

Annually, at a global level, 3 to 5 million people present severe clinical forms of seasonal influenza and up to 650 000 people die of influenza-related complications. People with chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, hepatic, neurologic, hematologic and metabolic diseases or those reciveing immunosuppressive therapy, constitute a high-risk population group for the development of influenza-related complications, more severe clinical course and poorer health-related outcomes. Due to all of the above, people with chronic diseases are of high priority to receive the influenza vaccine. Immunization represents the key strategy to prevent influenza both in terms of effectiveness and health care costs. Based on the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, adequate seasonal influenza immunization coverage among people with chronic diseases is set at 75%. However, few countries achieve this threshold. Understanding predictive factors of vaccination, at different levels of health care delivery (such as individuals, service providers, health policy), is essential to secure acceptance of influenza immunization and achieve the recommended level of vaccination coverage. In this mini review, all the available evidence regarding seasonal influenza vaccination coverage is summarized, alongside factors associated with vaccine uptake in people with chronic diseases as a whole, as well as according to specific diseases such as: cardiovascular and pulmonary disorders, diabetes and cancer. Based on the reviewed empirical evidence, a wide spectrum of factors associated with immunization against influneza was found in people who have chronic diseases. Although diverse, these factors can be systematized into 4 distinctive groups: socio-demographic characteristics, individual attitudes and beliefs, health promoting behaviors and factors related to the health care system. Further efforts are needed to improve the seasonal influenza vaccination coverage. The immunization strategy needs to include the health care system and the community to support people with chronic diseases to continously accept the influenza vaccine.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
I Cherif ◽  
G Kharroubi ◽  
L Bouabid ◽  
A Gharbi ◽  
A Boukthir ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Given the nature of their activities, health care workers (hcws) are at higher risk of contracting influenza and transmitting the disease to their patients. Influenza vaccine (IV) remains the most effective way to prevent influenza and its complications. To the best of our knowledge, no national data on IV coverage among hcws is available in Tunisia. The present study aimed to assess the flu vaccination coverage among Tunisian hcws in the 2018-2019 influenza season and factors associated with IV uptake through a study of knowledge and attitudes related to influenza vaccination. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted in Tunisian primary and secondary health care facilities from March to May 2019. Hcws with direct patient contact were recruited according to a self-weighted multistage sampling. Survey data collection was based on a face to face questionnaire containing both open and closed questions. Results A total of 1231 hcws were enrolled in this study. Among respondents, 15.3% (95% CI: [12.3-17.2]) were vaccinated against influenza during the 2018-2019 influenza season. High confidence regarding vaccine efficacy (OR = 3.5, 95%CI: 2.5-4.8), belief that hcws' influenza immunization may decrease illness and deaths among patients (OR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.2-2.3) and belief that influenza vaccination can reduce work absenteeism (OR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.2-2.4) were associated with a higher IV uptake among hcws. In addition, participants who mentioned hcws as a target group for influenza vaccination (OR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.5-2.8) and who were agree that IV is indicated annually for hcws (OR = 3.1, 95% CI: 1.9-4.9) were more likely to receive the IV. Conclusions Influenza vaccination coverage among Tunisian health professionals in 2018-2019 was low. Our findings suggest that knowledge and attitudes regarding influenza vaccine influence vaccine compliance among hcws and should thus be targeted by vaccination campaigns to promote flu vaccine uptake in the health community. Key messages Vaccination coverage among Tunisian healthcare workers was low in the 2018-2019 influenza season. Our findings suggest that knowledge and attitudes regarding influenza vaccine influence vaccine uptake among Tunisian health care workers.


2020 ◽  
Vol 73 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 271-276
Author(s):  
Mirjana Kolundzic ◽  
Veselin Bojat ◽  
Rastislava Krasnik ◽  
Jelena Zvekic-Svorcan ◽  
Jarmila Lacokova-Krasnikova ◽  
...  

Introduction. Immunization is an important measure in the prevention of diseases that can seriously endanger health of the population. The aim of the study was to determine the attitudes of the adult population toward seasonal influenza immunization. Material and Methods. This cross-sectional prospective study including 160 adult subjects of both sexes was conducted from November 15, 2019 to December 15, 2019 at the General Medicine Department of the ?Liman? Health Center, Novi Sad, Serbia. The respondents filled out a questionnaire, specifically designed for this purpose. The collected data were used to analyze the influence of gender, age and employment status on personal attitudes toward seasonal influenza immunization. Results. The study included 160 examinees, 74 (46.2%) men and 86 (53.8%) women, average age of 63 years. There were 88 (55%) employed and 72 (45%) unemployed participants. Of 160 participants, 113 (72.4%) had a positive attitude toward vaccination, 20 (12.8%) had a negative attitude, while 23 (14.7%) respondents were undecided. No statistically significant difference was established between the sexes in attitudes toward immunization. Vaccination coverage was higher in unemployed compared to employed subjects (75% vs. 59.1%; p < .05). Unemployed respondents were more regularly vaccinated than the employed examinees (66.1% vs. 46.7%; p < .05). Conclusion. Higher vaccination coverage rates for planned immunizations against seasonal influenza can be achieved through better promotion strategies and health education of the population.


Vaccine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (34) ◽  
pp. 5548-5555
Author(s):  
Maria Ganczak ◽  
Paweł Kalinowski ◽  
Marzena Drozd-Dąbrowska ◽  
Daniel Biesiada ◽  
Paulina Dubiel ◽  
...  

2006 ◽  
Vol 40 (10) ◽  
pp. 37
Author(s):  
GREGORY A. POLAND ◽  
CAROL J. BAKER

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