Li Wei Ang1, Jeffery Cutter1, Lyn James1, Kee Tai Goh1,2. 1. 1 Public Health Group, Ministry of Health, Singapore. 2. 2 Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
Abstract
AIMS: In Singapore, pneumococcal vaccination is recommended for the elderly (i.e. those ≥65 years of age) and people with chronic medical conditions. We investigated epidemiological characteristics associated with the uptake of pneumococcal vaccine based on a nationally representative cross-sectional sample of community-living adults aged ≥50 years. METHODS: The data were obtained from the National Health Surveillance Survey (NHSS) 2013. Associations between pneumococcal vaccination and sociodemographic and health-related variables were analysed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS: Among 3672 respondents aged ≥50 years in the NHSS, 7.8% had taken the pneumococcal vaccination. A higher level of education and higher monthly household income were sociodemographic characteristics independently associated with pneumococcal vaccine uptake. Health-related characteristics predictive of pneumococcal vaccine uptake were better self-rated health and having a regular family doctor/general practitioner. Among those who responded to the two questions on vaccinations, 3.9% had been vaccinated against both seasonal influenza and pneumococcal infection, while 11.1% had taken only seasonal influenza vaccination in the past year. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to boost pneumococcal vaccination coverage among community-dwelling older adults. These findings provide insights into reviewing and tailoring public-health strategies and programmes to increase vaccine uptake in at-risk population groups.
AIMS: In Singapore, pneumococcal vaccination is recommended for the elderly (i.e. those ≥65 years of age) and people with chronic medical conditions. We investigated epidemiological characteristics associated with the uptake of pneumococcal vaccine based on a nationally representative cross-sectional sample of community-living adults aged ≥50 years. METHODS: The data were obtained from the National Health Surveillance Survey (NHSS) 2013. Associations between pneumococcal vaccination and sociodemographic and health-related variables were analysed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS: Among 3672 respondents aged ≥50 years in the NHSS, 7.8% had taken the pneumococcal vaccination. A higher level of education and higher monthly household income were sociodemographic characteristics independently associated with pneumococcal vaccine uptake. Health-related characteristics predictive of pneumococcal vaccine uptake were better self-rated health and having a regular family doctor/general practitioner. Among those who responded to the two questions on vaccinations, 3.9% had been vaccinated against both seasonal influenza and pneumococcal infection, while 11.1% had taken only seasonal influenza vaccination in the past year. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to boost pneumococcal vaccination coverage among community-dwelling older adults. These findings provide insights into reviewing and tailoring public-health strategies and programmes to increase vaccine uptake in at-risk population groups.
Entities:
Keywords:
Vaccination; at-risk population; coverage; public health
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