Influenza Vaccination Coverage Rate and Factors Associated with Vaccination in People with Chronic Disease

Background: Influenza is a serious illness that causes significant morbidity and mortality, especially in high risk patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate influenza vaccination coverage rate and perceptions of people with chronic disease on vaccination in Korea. Materials and Methods: Patients with diabetes, chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis, and asthma were surveyed. Individual interviews were performed to patients with diabetes visiting the endocrinology department in a university hospital and patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis in 4 local clinics and 2 university hospitals. Questionnaires were mailed to patients who were registered to have asthma in a university hospital and were asked to mail back. Demographic data, history of vaccination in season 2005-2006, and perceptions on vaccination were asked. Results: Five hundred and five diabetes patients, 260 hemodialysis patients and 123 asthma patients were analyzed. Influenza vaccination coverage rate was 37.4% in diabetes patients and statistically significant factors associated with vaccination were as follows: lower education level, provider recommendation, previous vaccination, belief in efficacy of vaccination. Forteen and two tenth of patients were recommended to receive influenza vaccine, and the most frequent recommenders were doctors (43.6%). Influenza vaccination coverage rate was 81.9% in patients undergoing hemodialysis and statistically significant factors associated with vaccination were as follows: provider recommendation, previous vaccination, belief in efficacy of vaccination. Sixty six and five tenth of patients were recommended to get influenza vaccination, and the most frequent recommenders were doctors (45.3%) closely followed by nurses (43.6%). Seventy and seven tenth of patients with asthma received influenza vaccination. Previous vaccination was the only statistically significant factor associated with vaccination. Sixty six and nine tenth were recommended to get a vaccination and the most frequent recommenders were doctors (39.8%). Conclusions: Influenza vaccination coverage was considerably different among different chronic illnesses. The rate was relatively high in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis and asthma while it was low in patients with diabetes. The rate of vaccine recommendation was low in all patients and active recommendations by health-care workers should be made.