A multidisciplinary effort to increase COVID-19 vaccination among the older adults

Abstract

BackgroundCOVID-19 vaccination significantly reduces the risk of infection and its associated morbidity and mortality. However, poor uptake of the COVID-19 vaccination was reported among the high-risk group of older people amidst emerging variants of concern. This community case study reports an outreach program in Singapore, COVE (COVID-19 Vaccination for the Elderly) initiated by healthcare workers in a cluster of primary care clinics. They assessed the vaccine hesitancy among these older persons, addressed their concerns and facilitated their vaccination appointment during a brief phone conversation.MethodTwenty one thousand six hundred and sixty three unvaccinated adults aged ≥60 years were contacted by healthcare worker volunteers over two phases from June to October 2021. In phase I, they contacted adults aged above 70 years over 2 weeks. Adults who were uncontactable in phase I and those aged 60–69 years were sent SMS in phase II. Data were analyzed via descriptive data analysis.ResultsAfter phase 1, 65.5% (n = 5,646/8,617) of older adults had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The respondents expressed intention to vaccinate (39%, n = 3,390), requested to seek further information (25%, n = 2,138), reported access barrier (8%, n = 715), or were concerned of the vaccine adverse effects (3%, n = 288). Vaccination was refused by 24% (n = 2,086) of the respondents. Eventually 60.4% (n = 13,082/21,663) of them were vaccinated 3 months after COVE implementation.ConclusionThe COVE program increased the COVID-19 vaccination uptake of older adults from 84.6 to 96.3%. A person-centric proactive approach by healthcare workers addressed vaccine hesitancy and optimized vaccination. The outreach scheduling of vaccination appointments is key in promoting vaccination uptake among older adults.

Addressing Unmet Needs in Vaccination for Older Adults in the Asia Pacific: Insights from the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…48 , 49 The COVID-19 Vaccination for the Elderly (COVE) program, a person-centric proactive approach by healthcare workers, addressed vaccine hesitancy in Singapore and helped to increase the COVID-19 vaccination uptake from 84.6% to 96.3% in older adults. 50 …”

“…However, many nations still lack policies and funding for the existing vaccines. 50 Political support for immunisation can be gathered by articulating an evidence-based narrative on the benefits of adult immunisation to the economy, the fight against non-communicable diseases and antimicrobial resistance, and addressing equity despite gender, medical, social or financial vulnerability. 1 , 50 …”

“…48,49 The COVID-19 Vaccination for the Elderly (COVE) program, a person-centric proactive approach by healthcare workers, addressed vaccine hesitancy in Singapore and helped to increase the COVID-19 vaccination uptake from 84.6% to 96.3% in older adults. 50 The pandemic also highlighted the importance of surveillance and emergency preparedness for infectious diseases. Unfortunately, significant gaps in influenza surveillance exist in many low income nations.…”

“…However, many nations still lack policies and funding for the existing vaccines. 50 Political support for immunisation can be gathered by articulating an evidence-based narrative on the benefits of adult immunisation to the economy, the fight against non-communicable diseases and antimicrobial resistance, and addressing equity despite gender, medical, social or financial vulnerability. 1,50 The International Council on Adult Immunisation (ICAI) has outlined a high-level roadmap to stimulate action, provide policy guidance, and envision a global adult immunisation platform that nations could adapt to fit their local contexts.…”

Longitudinal analysis of behavioral factors and techniques used to identify vaccine hesitancy among Twitter users: Scoping review

“… 6 , 7 Disinformation campaigns on social media have been associated with drops in vaccination coverage, as measured by annual data on actual vaccination rates from the WHO, and increased levels of negative vaccine discourse on Twitter. 8 …”