Seasonal Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccination in the Elderly

The elderly population and individuals with chronic diseases are at high risk for influenza and influenza-related pneumonia, and it is emphasized that taking pneumonia and influenza vaccine together is effective in reducing mortality as well as hospitalization rates and costs due to pneumonia, influenza, and congestive heart disease.

This study that will be carried out will enable to determine the population-based prevalence of the relevant vaccines in the elderly and to determine the determinants of vaccination with the case group to be determined based on this.

The aim of the study is two phases.

1. Determination of the prevalence of seasonal influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in elderly people over the over the age of 65 living in Ankara.
2. Investigation of socioeconomic characteristics and vaccine indecision and some health-related determinants of vaccination through the case group created based on the preliminary study on the prevalence of seasonal influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in the elderly over the age of 65 living in Ankara.

The study, which includes cross-sectional prevalence and retrospective case-control stages, is planned to be carried out with individuals over the age of 65 living in Ankara province between November 1 and December 31, 2022.

The elderly population and individuals with chronic diseases are at high risk for influenza and influenza-related pneumonia, and it is emphasized that taking pneumonia and influenza vaccine together is effective in reducing mortality as well as hospitalization rates and costs due to pneumonia, influenza, and congestive heart disease.

In recent years, progress has been made in vaccination as a result of the increase in health-seeking behavior due to the pandemic, the greater importance of influenza and pneumococcal vaccine application recommendations, and the perception of the prevention of lung infections due to COVID-19.

However, the discussions on the need to predict vaccine demand and examine health behaviors, health education, and research on new methods of vaccination efficacy in reducing future epidemics continue to be relevant.

This study that will be carried out will enable to determine the population-based prevalence of the relevant vaccines in the elderly and to determine the determinants of vaccination with the case group to be determined based on this.

Research questions-Prevalence

1. What is the prevalence of influenza vaccination in the elderly?
2. What is the prevalence of pneumonia vaccination in the elderly?

Research Questions - Case Control

1. Are socio-economic characteristics (region of residence, monthly income, education, perceived economic status) effective in vaccinating the elderly?
2. Are health-related features (chronic illness, drug use, previous vaccination status, priority preference in health care, frequency of hospitalization and hospitalization in the last six months, distance from health institution, self-defense behavior) effective in vaccinating the elderly?
3. Is the vaccination attitude effective in vaccinating the elderly?

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

-Over the age of 65.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Cancer diagnosis
* Having a disease that will require immunosuppressive treatment
* Transplantation cases
* Rheumatoid arthritis
* Systemic lupus erythematosus
* Inflammatory bowel disease