Abstract
In search of Healthy Ageing; the willingness of older adults to receive vaccination
Life expectancy has risen spectacularly in most European countries and continues to rise. This will result in more persons aged 50 years and older (older adults) than ever before. To promote healthy aging, vaccination against vaccine-preventable-diseases may be a worthy strategy. Currently, only influenza vaccination is offered in most European countries. Based on our results, also pneumococcal disease, herpes zoster, and pertussis vaccination are vaccine candidates.
Our study shows that the most important reasons for older adults to accept vaccination are: high chance of getting the infectious disease, high chance of dying from the infectious disease, and an effective vaccine. Personal factors do influence these preferences. Of the older adults, 68% would accept pneumococcal vaccination, 58% would accept herpes zoster vaccination, and 54% would accept pertussis vaccination. In general, it can be stated that vaccination acceptance will be lower for persons aged 50 to 65 years old and higher for persons aged 65 years and older.
GPs play an important role as the advisor of older adults. They were shown to be more willing to recommend vaccination against pneumococcal disease, herpes zoster, and pertussis to patients in their 60s when those patients also have other diseases. Their willingness to recommend vaccination was highest for pneumococcal disease.
Our study results suggest that older adults are most likely to accept pneumococcal vaccination of the three candidate vaccines (pertussis, herpes zoster, pneumococcal vaccine). It is essential to focus on tailored information when offering new vaccines to achieve the highest vaccination uptake possible. This way, vaccination can contribute to Healthy Ageing.
Life expectancy has risen spectacularly in most European countries and continues to rise. This will result in more persons aged 50 years and older (older adults) than ever before. To promote healthy aging, vaccination against vaccine-preventable-diseases may be a worthy strategy. Currently, only influenza vaccination is offered in most European countries. Based on our results, also pneumococcal disease, herpes zoster, and pertussis vaccination are vaccine candidates.
Our study shows that the most important reasons for older adults to accept vaccination are: high chance of getting the infectious disease, high chance of dying from the infectious disease, and an effective vaccine. Personal factors do influence these preferences. Of the older adults, 68% would accept pneumococcal vaccination, 58% would accept herpes zoster vaccination, and 54% would accept pertussis vaccination. In general, it can be stated that vaccination acceptance will be lower for persons aged 50 to 65 years old and higher for persons aged 65 years and older.
GPs play an important role as the advisor of older adults. They were shown to be more willing to recommend vaccination against pneumococcal disease, herpes zoster, and pertussis to patients in their 60s when those patients also have other diseases. Their willingness to recommend vaccination was highest for pneumococcal disease.
Our study results suggest that older adults are most likely to accept pneumococcal vaccination of the three candidate vaccines (pertussis, herpes zoster, pneumococcal vaccine). It is essential to focus on tailored information when offering new vaccines to achieve the highest vaccination uptake possible. This way, vaccination can contribute to Healthy Ageing.
| Translated title of the contribution | Gezond ouder worden: de vaccinatiebereidheid van 50-plussers |
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| Original language | English |
| Qualification | Doctor of Philosophy |
| Awarding Institution |
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| Supervisors/Advisors |
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| Award date | 7-Jun-2017 |
| Place of Publication | [Groningen] |
| Publisher | |
| Print ISBNs | 978-90-367-9730-6 |
| Electronic ISBNs | 978-90-367-9729-0 |
| Publication status | Published - 2017 |