Awareness among adults of vaccine-preventable diseases and recommended vaccinations, United States, 2015.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Adults are recommended to receive select vaccinations based on their age, underlying medical conditions, lifestyle, and other considerations. Factors associated with awareness of vaccine-preventable diseases and recommended vaccines among adults in the United States have not been explored.

METHODS:

Data from a 2015 internet panel survey of a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults aged ≥19years were analyzed to assess awareness of selected vaccine-preventable diseases and recommended vaccines for adults. A multivariable logistic regression model with a predictive marginal approach was used to identify factors independently associated with awareness of selected vaccine-preventable infections/diseases and corresponding vaccines.

RESULTS:

Among the surveyed population, from 24.6 to 72.1% reported vaccination for recommended vaccines. Awareness of vaccine-preventable diseases among adults aged ≥19years ranged from 63.4% to 94.0% (63.4% reported awareness of HPV, 71.5% reported awareness of tetanus, 72.0% reported awareness of pertussis, 75.4% reported awareness of HZ, 75.8% reported awareness of hepatitis B, 83.1% reported awareness of pneumonia, and 94.0% reported awareness of influenza). Awareness of the corresponding vaccines among adults aged ≥19years ranged from 59.3% to 94.1% (59.3% HZ vaccine, 59.6% HPV vaccine, 64.3% hepatitis B vaccine, 66.2% pneumococcal vaccine, 86.3% tetanus vaccines, and 94.1% influenza vaccine). In multivariable analysis, being female and being a college graduate were significantly associated with a higher level of awareness for majority of vaccine-preventable diseases, and being female, being a college graduate, and working as a health care provider were significantly associated with a higher level of awareness for majority of corresponding vaccines.

CONCLUSIONS:

Although adults in this survey reported high levels of awareness for most vaccines recommended for adults, self-reported vaccination coverage was not optimal. Combining interventions known to increase uptake of recommended vaccines, such as patient reminder/recall systems and other healthcare system-based interventions, and ensuring patients' vaccination needs are assessed, are needed to improve vaccination of adults.

• Authors: Peng-Jun Lu, Alissa O'Halloran, Erin D Kennedy, Walter W Williams, David Kim, Amy Parker Fiebelkorn, Sara Donahue, Carolyn B Bridges
• Journal: Vaccine (Vaccine) Vol. 35 Issue 23 Pg. 3104-3115 (05 25 2017) ISSN: 1873-2518 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 28457673 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Chemical References

• Hepatitis B Vaccines
• Influenza Vaccines
• Papillomavirus Vaccines
• Pneumococcal Vaccines

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Communicable Disease Control (statistics & numerical data)
• Educational Status
• Female
• Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
• Hepatitis B (prevention & control)
• Hepatitis B Vaccines (administration & dosage)
• Humans
• Immunization Programs
• Influenza Vaccines (administration & dosage)
• Logistic Models
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Papillomavirus Vaccines (administration & dosage)
• Pneumococcal Vaccines (administration & dosage)
• Sex Factors
• Tetanus (prevention & control)
• United States
• Vaccination (psychology, statistics & numerical data)
• Whooping Cough (prevention & control)
• Young Adult