Lin Yang1, Hairong Nan2, Jun Liang3, Yin Hang Chan3, Laam Chan3, Rita Wing Man Sum4, Yee Mei Kwan5, Feifei Zhou6, Huaiqing Meng6, Lorna Kwai Ping Suen6. 1. School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Electronic address: l.yang@polyu.edu.hk. 2. Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. 3. Tuen Mun Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. 4. School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. 5. Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. 6. School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: People with diabetes are at a higher risk of influenza infections and severe complications. The vaccination of close contacts could offer indirect protection to people with diabetes; this is known as "herd immunity." The aim of this study is to investigate the vaccination rates of people with diabetes and their household contacts in Hong Kong. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Face-to-face interviews with 158 patients diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and aged ⩾65years were conducted in clinics. Telephone interviews were then conducted with 281 adult household contacts. RESULTS: Seasonal influenza vaccination rates were 54.5% and 27.4%, in people with diabetes and their contacts, respectively. The vaccination status of patients was not significantly associated with the vaccination of their household contacts (p=0.073). Among household contacts, children or the elderly, the partners or couples of patients, and those with more hours of daily contact, or with chronic conditions, were associated with higher vaccination rates. However, only age remained significant after adjusting for confounding factors in logistic regression models. CONCLUSIONS: The low vaccination rates of people with diabetes and their close contacts highlight the need to promote vaccination in susceptible populations and to educate the public about herd immunity.
BACKGROUND:People with diabetes are at a higher risk of influenza infections and severe complications. The vaccination of close contacts could offer indirect protection to people with diabetes; this is known as "herd immunity." The aim of this study is to investigate the vaccination rates of people with diabetes and their household contacts in Hong Kong. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Face-to-face interviews with 158 patients diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and aged ⩾65years were conducted in clinics. Telephone interviews were then conducted with 281 adult household contacts. RESULTS: Seasonal influenza vaccination rates were 54.5% and 27.4%, in people with diabetes and their contacts, respectively. The vaccination status of patients was not significantly associated with the vaccination of their household contacts (p=0.073). Among household contacts, children or the elderly, the partners or couples of patients, and those with more hours of daily contact, or with chronic conditions, were associated with higher vaccination rates. However, only age remained significant after adjusting for confounding factors in logistic regression models. CONCLUSIONS: The low vaccination rates of people with diabetes and their close contacts highlight the need to promote vaccination in susceptible populations and to educate the public about herd immunity.