Reasons for non-vaccination against influenza among older adults with hypertension in Brazil: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of non-vaccination against influenza among Brazilian older adults with systemic arterial hypertension and determine the main reasons for non-adherence. A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from older adults (≥ 60 years of age) with hypertension who participated in the 2013 National Health Survey and reported not having been vaccinated against flu over the previous 12 months (n = 1,295). The analyses were performed using the Stata 14.0 software. The data were weighted because of the sampling design. An estimated 3,026,080 older adults with hypertension had not received a flu vaccine over the 12 months prior to the survey (22.6%). No significant associations were found with sex, age group or schooling. The prevalence of unvaccinated older adults was lower in the southern and southeastern regions of Brazil than in the northern and northeastern regions, even after adjusting for age. The prevalence was higher among individuals without private health insurance. The main reasons for non-vaccination were fear of a reaction, rarely having the flu and not believing in the protection of the vaccine . The present findings underscore the need for healthcare professionals to explain to the population the benefits of the vaccine for preventing severe influenza (protective effect and possible reactions) and for secondary prevention of cardiovascular events. Increasing the prevalence of vaccination in older adults with hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases is of fundamental importance within the realm of public health as a strategy for reducing occurrences of complications and deaths associated with influenza.

Influenza Vaccination Coverage among Older Adults with Hypertension in Shenzhen, China: A Cross-Sectional Survey during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…For this work, we collected data on elderly people over 60 years of age who reported having hypertension ( n = 5216), similar to a relevant study [ 11 ]. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg [ 21 ].…”

“…Additionally, a study conducted in Denmark from 2007 to 2016 indicated that an influenza vaccination was associated with an 18% reduced risk of death during influenza seasons among patients with hypertension [ 9 ]. A lower vaccination coverage has been reported in developing countries than in developed settings [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Influenza vaccination coverage among elderly people with hypertension has been also surveyed in several regions.…”

Psychosocial Predictors for the Intention of Brazilian Elderly in Receiving the Vaccine Against Covid-19

“…The belief that SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are unsafe has already been considered one of the main causes of vaccine hesitancy (28). Also in the case of in uenza, aspects such as disbelief in vaccine e cacy and fear of side effects are factors associated with older adults' hesitation to get vaccinated (29). In addition to these ndings, our result suggests that insecurity about unknown side effects, and about the "record time" of this vaccine development, may be risk factors for achieving the mass immunization.…”

“…However, the vaccination coverage for adults and the elderly decreased dramatically over the past few years (6; 7). In a recent survey conducted with elderly Brazilians, the researchers identi ed that the main reasons for older adults with arterial hypertension to hesitate to take the in uenza vaccine were: the fact that they rarely have a u, distrust in the vaccine e cacy, and fear of side effects (8). In the speci c case of the vaccine against COVID-19, one of the leading causes of the hesitation in taking them is the belief that the vaccine is unsafe (9).…”

Vacinação para influenza em idosos na pandemia COVID-19: estudo de base populacional em 133 cidades brasileiras

“…Dentre as razões apontadas pela população para não se vacinar, no estudo de Andrade, "não saber que era necessário fazer a vacina contra influenza" esteve entre os cinco principais motivos, com percentuais de 7,4% na região Norte, 4,4% no Nordeste e 2,1,% na região Sul 15 . Na Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde de 2013, foi analisado um recorte para amostra de idosos hipertensos, sendo que nesses a maior cobertura vacinal foi na região Sudeste e Sul, o que foi atribuído à melhor posição socioeconômica com um possível maior acesso aos serviços de saúde e melhor aconselhamento em relação à vacinação 29 . tabela 2.…”