Assessing predictors of influenza and pneumonia vaccination in rural senior adults.

The overall purpose of this study was to identify predictors of influenza and pneumonia vaccination among rural senior adults. A mail survey was conducted in eight rural counties. Reported immunization rate for influenza (81.5%) among respondents was higher as compared to pneumonia (74.7%). Knowing someone with influenza was the strongest predictor of influenza vaccination and knowing someone with pneumonia was the strongest predictor of pneumonia vaccination. Belief that vaccinations are always beneficial was also a significant predictor. While several of the findings of this study are consistent with factors reported in literature to be significant predictors of immunization behavior for this age group, surprisingly, access was not a significant predictor for this rural sample. Copyright 2003 The Haworth Press, Inc.