BACKGROUND: Although influenza immunisation is now recommended for all people aged 65 years and over in the UK, many people in that age group still remain unimmunised. AIM: To investigate lay beliefs about influenza and influenza vaccine in older people to identify appropriate ways of promoting vaccine uptake. DESIGN: Qualitative study using narrative interviews. SETTING: Urban and rural communities in South Wales. METHOD: Participants were 54 people aged 65 years and over who were interviewed in their own home. Of these, 11 were regularly immunised, 18 had consistently refused immunisation (refusers), 15 had defaulted (defaulters), five had never been offered immunisation, and five had recently been immunised for the first time. RESULTS: There was an overwhelming consensus among immunised and unimmunised individuals that they were not at risk from influenza. Even if they did catch influenza, they would not suffer from any serious consequences. Refusers and defaulters were more likely to believe that the influenza vaccine had serious side-effects, while the regularly immunised group were more likely to perceive the vaccine as effective. Multiple prompts from family, friends, or primary care staff were important triggers for receiving immunisation. CONCLUSION: Many older people did not feel vulnerable to influenza, regardless of their age, and this influenced their views on the need for immunisation. Both refusers and defaulters overstated adverse effects from influenza vaccine so this is a potential target for an intervention. Individual prompts, particularly from GPs, seemed to be the most significant motivators to attend for immunisation.
BACKGROUND: Although influenza immunisation is now recommended for all people aged 65 years and over in the UK, many people in that age group still remain unimmunised. AIM: To investigate lay beliefs about influenza and influenza vaccine in older people to identify appropriate ways of promoting vaccine uptake. DESIGN: Qualitative study using narrative interviews. SETTING: Urban and rural communities in South Wales. METHOD:Participants were 54 people aged 65 years and over who were interviewed in their own home. Of these, 11 were regularly immunised, 18 had consistently refused immunisation (refusers), 15 had defaulted (defaulters), five had never been offered immunisation, and five had recently been immunised for the first time. RESULTS: There was an overwhelming consensus among immunised and unimmunised individuals that they were not at risk from influenza. Even if they did catch influenza, they would not suffer from any serious consequences. Refusers and defaulters were more likely to believe that the influenza vaccine had serious side-effects, while the regularly immunised group were more likely to perceive the vaccine as effective. Multiple prompts from family, friends, or primary care staff were important triggers for receiving immunisation. CONCLUSION: Many older people did not feel vulnerable to influenza, regardless of their age, and this influenced their views on the need for immunisation. Both refusers and defaulters overstated adverse effects from influenza vaccine so this is a potential target for an intervention. Individual prompts, particularly from GPs, seemed to be the most significant motivators to attend for immunisation.
Authors: P A Briss; L E Rodewald; A R Hinman; A M Shefer; R A Strikas; R R Bernier; V G Carande-Kulis; H R Yusuf; S M Ndiaye; S M Williams Journal: Am J Prev Med Date: 2000-01 Impact factor: 5.043
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Authors: Richard Kent Zimmerman; Mary Patricia Nowalk; Inis J Bardella; Michael J Fine; Janine E Janosky; Tammy A Santibanez; Stephen A Wilson; Mahlon Raymund Journal: Am J Prev Med Date: 2004-01 Impact factor: 5.043
Authors: Hanley J Ho; Yi-Roe Tan; Alex R Cook; Gerald Koh; Tat Yean Tham; Eve Anwar; Grace Shu Hui Chiang; May O Lwin; Mark I Chen Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2019-10-17 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Jason M Nagata; Isabel Hernández-Ramos; Anand Sivasankara Kurup; Daniel Albrecht; Claudia Vivas-Torrealba; Carlos Franco-Paredes Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2013-04-25 Impact factor: 3.295
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