Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2019;15(2):487-495.
doi: 10.1080/21645515.2018.1520580. Epub 2018 Sep 21.

Canadian older adults' perceptions of effectiveness and value of regular and high-dose influenza vaccines

Jennifer A Pereira  1 , Vladimir Gilca  2 , Nancy Waite  3 , Melissa K Andrew  4
Affiliations

Canadian older adults' perceptions of effectiveness and value of regular and high-dose influenza vaccines

Jennifer A Pereira et al. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2019.

Abstract

Influenza vaccination is an important public health intervention for older adults, yet vaccination rates remain suboptimal. We conducted an online survey of Canadians ≥ 65 years to explore satisfaction with publicly-funded standard-dose influenza vaccines, and perceptions of the need for a more effective product. They were provided with information about currently approved influenza vaccines, and were asked about their preferences should all formulations be available for free, and should the recently approved high-dose (HD) vaccine for seniors be available at a cost. From March to April 2017, 5014 seniors completed the survey; mean age was 71.3 ± 5.17 years, 50% were female, and 42.6% had one or more chronic conditions. 3403 (67.9%) had been vaccinated against influenza in the 2016/17 season. Of all respondents, 3460 (69%) were satisfied with the standard-dose influenza vaccines, yet 3067 (61.1%) thought that a more effective vaccine was/may be needed. If HD was only available at a cost, 1426 (28.4%) respondents would consider it, of whom 62.9% would pay $20 or less. If all vaccines were free next season, 1914 (38.2%) would opt for HD (including 12.2% of those who previously rejected influenza vaccines), 856 (17.1%) would choose adjuvanted vaccine, and 558 (11.1%) standard-dose vaccine. 843 (16.8%) of respondents were against vaccines, 451 (9.0%) had no preference and 392 (7.8%) were uncertain. Making this product available through publicly funded programs may be a strategy to increase immunization rates in this population.

Keywords: Influenza; Survey; Vaccines; decision-making; seniors; willingness-to-pay.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Influenza vaccine preferences.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Influenza vaccine choice, by province (n = 5014).
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Willingness to pay for HD vaccine, by province (n = 1426).
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Willingness to pay for HD vaccine, by influenza/ILI status in the 2016/17 season.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Kwong JC, Ratnasingham S, Campitelli MA, Daneman N, Deeks SL, Manuel DG, Allen VG, Bayoumi AM, Fazil A, Fisman DN, et al. The impact of infection on population health: Results of the Ontario Burden of Infectious Diseases Study. PLoS ONE. 2012;7(9):e44103. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0044103. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Nichols KL. Influenza vaccination in the elderly: impact on hospitalization and mortality. Drugs Aging. 2005;22(6):495–515. - PubMed
    1. Covinsky KE, Palmer RM, Fortinsky RH, Counsell SR, Stewart AL, Kresevic D, Burant CJ, Landefeld CS. Loss of independence in activities of daily living in older adults hospitalized with medical illnesses: increased vulnerability with age. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2003. April;51(4):451–458. - PubMed
    1. Andrew MK, MacDonald S, Ye L, Ambrose A, Boivin G, Diaz-Mitoma F, Bowie W, Chit A, Dos Santos G, Elsherif M, et al. on behalf of CIRN SOS and TIBDN Network Investigators . Impact of frailty on influenza vaccine effectiveness and clinical outcomes: experience from the Canadian Immunization Research Network(CIRN) Serious Outcomes Surveillance (SOS) network 2011/12 season. Can Immunization Conf Abstract. 2016;3(suppl_1):s136. DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofw172.573. - DOI
    1. Andrew MK, Lees C, Godin J, Black K, McElhaney J, Ambrose A, Boivin G, Bowie WR, Elsherif M, Green K, et al. Frailty hinders recovery from acute respiratory illness in older adults. Open Forum Infectious Diseases. 2017;4(suppl 1):S573–574. doi:org/10.1093/ofid/ofx163.1500.

Publication types

Substances

LinkOut - more resources