Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination: patient perceptions
Paul F Findlay, Y M Gibbons, W R Primrose, G Ellis, G Downie
Department of
Medicine for the Elderly, Woodend Hospital, Eday Road, Aberdeen
AB15 6LS, UK
Correspondence to: Dr Findlay
Submitted 1
March 1999;
Accepted 6 September 1999
The efficacy of the influenza vaccine in reducing
mortality and hospital admissions is established, particularly in the
elderly. However, up to 50% of those at risk do not receive the
vaccine. These patients are also at risk from pneumococcal infection
and there is considerable overlap between the target group for each vaccine.
This study sought to identify at risk individuals from consecutive
admissions to an acute geriatric unit and to gain an insight into their
perceptions with regard to vaccination. The awareness of each vaccine
was recorded, together with the vaccination history.
Seventy four per cent of the final cohort had heard of the influenza
vaccine, while only 13% had heard of the pneumococcal vaccine. Fifty
per cent perceived themselves to be at risk from influenza and its
complications and 87% of the cohort believed it to be a serious infection.
Influenza vaccine was judged to confer good protection by 72% of the
sample and yet up to 50% believed that the vaccine can make the
recipient ill.
Influenza is perceived as a serious infection by patients and yet many
do not believe themselves to be at particular risk. Although influenza
vaccination is believed to confer protection, the decision whether, or
not, to accept the vaccine is coloured by many factors, including
popular myths and anecdotal information from friends and relatives. The
uptake of influenza vaccine is suboptimal and the awareness of the
pneumococcal vaccine certainly in the elderly is poor. The need for a
comprehensive nationwide education campaign promoting both influenza
and pneumococcal vaccine is highlighted.
Keywords: influenza vaccine; pneumococcal vaccine
© 2000 by The Fellowship of Postgraduate Medicine
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