Vaccination awareness in adult patients at a tertiary care hospital

• Published in: Journal of medical and scientific research (Online) Vol. 12; no. 3; pp. 206 - 212
• Main Authors: Kanakabhushanam GVVS, Sony A, Gomasa M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: KIMS Foundation and Research Center 02-07-2024
• Subjects: adult vaccination; awareness; immunosenescence
• ISSN: 2321-1326; 2394-112X
• DOI: 10.17727/JMSR.2024/12-39

Background: As global birth rates decline and life expectancies rise, the geriatric population is rapidly increasing. The growing geriatric population worldwide necessitates improved vaccination awareness among older adults to mitigate the increased risk of infectious diseases due to immunosenescence - the gradual deterioration of the immune system with age. The main objective of our study was to create awareness, explain the benefits of adult vaccination and brief about the CDC recommended vaccinations and their schedules. Methods: This is a cross-sectional observational study conducted for 3 months on outpatient basis through a pamphlet survey in around 150 patients. Results: 64.6% of patients completed their Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR). Secondary level education and out of them 49.3% of them residing in urban areas doesn’t know about adult vaccination. Conclusion: Findings reveal that patients' decisions are influenced by sociocultural factors, access to information, and misconceptions. The results highlight the importance of targeted immunization programs for older adults and implementing National guidelines in a country like India with highest population can prevent vaccine-preventable diseases, reduce healthcare costs, and improve public health outcomes. Enhanced education and healthcare provider engagement are recommended to address vaccine hesitancy and improve vaccination rates among the elderly, especially in underprivileged communities.