Trends in Influenza Vaccination Coverage Rates among Korean Cancer Survivors: Analysis of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III-VI

Background: Few studies have reported on the trends in influenza vaccination rates among cancer survivors in Korea. We investigated these trends over a recent 11-year period (2005-2015). Methods: Data were obtained from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) III-VI (2005-2015). After excluding individuals younger than 40 years of age, the participants included 2,210 cancer survivors (861 men and 1,349 women). We categorized these study participants into four groups according to age and sex. Results: The influenza vaccination rate decreased significantly among male cancer survivors, with rates of 74.8, 64.7, 56.2, and 55.2% (beta coefficient=-0.257, P for trend <0.001) in KNHANES III, VI, V, and VI, respectively. While influenza vaccination rates decreased significantly among older male cancer survivors (>= 65 years) (beta coefficient=-0.359, P for trend=0.017), they increased among older female cancer survivors (beta coefficient=0.375, P for trend=0.011) from 2005 to 2015. Conclusion: Influenza vaccination rates in older cancer survivors significantly decreased in men but increased in women in successive KNHANES phases. Efforts are needed to improve immunization education and awareness, especially in older male cancer survivors.