Why is vaccination frequency low in elderly patients? Vaccination 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. Material and Method: 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). Discussin: 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.