[Vaccine coverage against influenza and pneumococcal infections in patients aged 65 and over: a survey on 299 outpatients]

Abstract

Introduction: There is no compulsory vaccination in the adult population. Therefore, vaccine coverage appears heterogeneous.

Methods: We performed a 2-month survey to evaluate the vaccine coverage administered by 11 general practitioners in their patients aged 65 and over, with a focus on influenza vaccination recommended in France for individuals being 65 years old or more and on pneumococcal vaccination indicated but not recommended in the same age population; analysing the reasons for non vaccine administration against influenza and pneumococcal infections.

Results: Two hundred and ninety-nine patients were interviewed, mean age of 77+/-6,9 years; 76,3% were vaccinated against influenza; only nine patients out of the 46 having a recommendation for pneumococcal vaccine were immunized (19,6%). The main reasons for non vaccination were the fear of vaccine for influenza and a lack of information for the pneumococcal vaccine.

Conclusion: These results underline the low prevalence for pneumococcal vaccine in ambulatory patients, despite recommendations. Previous studies with controversial data might explain the low prevalence. Better information of the expected benefit of this vaccine and better correlation between indications and recommendations could increase its coverage.