Perceptions of Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccine Uptake by Older Persons in Australia

Briggs, L., Fronek, P., Quinn, V., & Wilde, T. (2019). Perceptions of influenza and pneumococcal vaccine uptake by older persons in Australia. Vaccine. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.06.079

Posted: 9 Jul 2019

See all articles by Lynne Briggs

Lynne Briggs

Griffith University - School of Human Services & Social Work

Patricia Fronek

Griffith University - School of Allied Health and Social Work; and Law Futures

Date Written: July 5, 2019

Abstract

Background: Influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations reduce adverse health outcomes in older adults. The Australian National Immunisation Program (NIP) provides free seasonal influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations for adults ≥65 y. Guidelines recommend all adults ≥65 y receive one dose of 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (23vPPV) regardless of their risk of invasive pneumococcal disease. However, the reported rate of vaccination against pneumococcal disease is much lower than seasonal influenza. Identifying and understanding the perspective of older people on vaccination is important to informing effective promotional strategies for this age group.

Methods: Using a purposive and snowball recruitment strategy, 36 participants aged between 65 and 84 years of age were recruited in south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales. Face-to-face qualitative interviews conducted between July 2017 and January 2018 were recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed.

Results: In this sample, the uptake of the influenza vaccine (n = 28, 78%) was greater than for the pneumococcal vaccine (n = 14, 39%). Five key themes identified were health practitioner influence; anti-vaccination influence; social responsibility; work-based vaccination; and perceptions of age. The influences on uptake were complex and multi-faceted.

Conclusions: Findings provide new insights, in particular, the role of social responsibility, the long-term impact of workplace vaccinations, and how older people do not necessarily consider themselves old.

Keywords: Influenza, Pneumococcal disease, Immunisation program, Older adults, Australia

Suggested Citation

Briggs, Lynne and Fronek, Patricia, Perceptions of Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccine Uptake by Older Persons in Australia (July 5, 2019). Briggs, L., Fronek, P., Quinn, V., & Wilde, T. (2019). Perceptions of influenza and pneumococcal vaccine uptake by older persons in Australia. Vaccine. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.06.079, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3415737

Lynne Briggs

Griffith University - School of Human Services & Social Work ( email )

University Drive
Meadowbrook, QLD 4131
Australia

Patricia Fronek (Contact Author)

Griffith University - School of Allied Health and Social Work; and Law Futures ( email )

Parklands Drive
Soutport
Gold Coast, QLD 4222
Australia
61 (0) 7 55529345 (Phone)
61 (0) 7 55528562 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.griffith.edu.au/health/school-human-services-social-work/staff/dr-patricia-fronek

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