K Armstrong1, M Berlin, J S Schwartz, K Propert, P A Ubel. 1. Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6021, USA. karmstro@mail.med.upenn.edu
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although influenza immunization significantly reduces mortality from influenza, over one third of elderly Americans are not immunized each year. Low rates of immunization are particularly concerning among African-American low-income populations. Preliminary interviews suggested that fear of undisclosed ingredients in the influenza vaccine may impede vaccine acceptance in this vulnerable population. OBJECTIVES: To assess the role of concern about vaccine contents and other factors in the use of influenza immunization among a predominantly African-American low-income urban population. METHODS: Cross-sectional, health-system-population-based, telephone survey of a random sample of West Philadelphia residents aged > or =65 years. RESULTS: Of 659 eligible individuals, 486 (73.8%) were successfully interviewed. Concern about undisclosed shot contents was reported by 132 (20%) respondents and was inversely associated with vaccine receipt (OR 0. 49, 95% CI 0.26-0.91). This association was similar among African Americans and Caucasians. In addition, receipt of influenza vaccine was inversely associated with belief that immunization is inconvenient (OR 0.14, 95% CI 0.05-0.36), belief that immunization is painful (OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.08-0.54), and history of previous side effects (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.18-0.60), and positively associated with physician recommendation (OR 3.22, 95% CI 1.76-5.93). CONCLUSIONS: In a low-income urban population, concern about undisclosed vaccine contents appears to impede acceptance of influenza immunization among both African Americans and Caucasians. Directly addressing this concern offers a new approach to increasing immunization in this vulnerable population.
BACKGROUND: Although influenza immunization significantly reduces mortality from influenza, over one third of elderly Americans are not immunized each year. Low rates of immunization are particularly concerning among African-American low-income populations. Preliminary interviews suggested that fear of undisclosed ingredients in the influenza vaccine may impede vaccine acceptance in this vulnerable population. OBJECTIVES: To assess the role of concern about vaccine contents and other factors in the use of influenza immunization among a predominantly African-American low-income urban population. METHODS: Cross-sectional, health-system-population-based, telephone survey of a random sample of West Philadelphia residents aged > or =65 years. RESULTS: Of 659 eligible individuals, 486 (73.8%) were successfully interviewed. Concern about undisclosed shot contents was reported by 132 (20%) respondents and was inversely associated with vaccine receipt (OR 0. 49, 95% CI 0.26-0.91). This association was similar among African Americans and Caucasians. In addition, receipt of influenza vaccine was inversely associated with belief that immunization is inconvenient (OR 0.14, 95% CI 0.05-0.36), belief that immunization is painful (OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.08-0.54), and history of previous side effects (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.18-0.60), and positively associated with physician recommendation (OR 3.22, 95% CI 1.76-5.93). CONCLUSIONS: In a low-income urban population, concern about undisclosed vaccine contents appears to impede acceptance of influenza immunization among both African Americans and Caucasians. Directly addressing this concern offers a new approach to increasing immunization in this vulnerable population.
Authors: Steven A Cohen; Saifuddin Ahmed; Ann C Klassen; Emily M Agree; Thomas A Louis; Elena N Naumova Journal: Vaccine Date: 2010-05-08 Impact factor: 3.641
Authors: Mark G Thompson; Manjusha J Gaglani; Allison Naleway; Sarah Ball; Emily M Henkle; Leslie Z Sokolow; Beth Brennan; Hong Zhou; Lydia Foster; Carla Black; Erin D Kennedy; Sam Bozeman; Lisa A Grohskopf; David K Shay Journal: Vaccine Date: 2012-04-01 Impact factor: 3.641
Authors: Kendra L Schwartz; Anne Victoria Neale; Justin Northrup; Joseph Monsur; Divya A Patel; Rodrigo Tobar; Pascale M Wortley Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2006-04 Impact factor: 5.128
Authors: Karen Bouye; Benedict I Truman; Sonja Hutchins; Roland Richard; Clive Brown; Joyce A Guillory; Jamila Rashid Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2009-10 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Nynikka R A Palmer; Ann M Geiger; Tisha M Felder; Lingyi Lu; L Douglas Case; Kathryn E Weaver Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2013-05-16 Impact factor: 9.308