Influenza vaccination coverage and uptake predictors among Spanish adults suffering COPD

The aim of this study is to compare influenza vaccination coverage among Spaniards aged 40 y or over who suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with those without this illness to identify the factors that influence vaccination uptake among patients with COPD. Data was extracted from the European Health Survey performed in Spain in 2009/10, and analyzed data on 15,355 Spaniards (≥ 40 y of age), of whom 1,309 (8.2% 95%CI 7.7-8.7) had COPD was used. We considered the answer (yes/no) to the question about whether or not the interviewed person had been vaccinated against influenza in the previous flu season. We used the answer to this question as the dependent variable. For independent variables, we analyzed social demographic characteristics, health related variables, and the utilization of health care services. Vaccination coverage among patients with COPD is 49.4% (95% CI: 46.3-52.5%) and 21.3% (95% CI: 20.7-21.9) among people without (p < 0.001). The probability of being vaccinated is three times greater for COPD patients (crude OR = 3.0, 95% CI: 2.6-3.5). Among COPD patients the uptake of vaccination increased with age. Other factors associated with an increase in vaccination coverage were: being male, perceiving one's health as fair or poor, not smoking, and having seen a doctor during the previous month. The rate of flu vaccination among adult Spaniards with COPD is lower than desired. Urgent strategies for increasing vaccination coverage are necessary for COPD sufferers aged under 65 of age and those with unhealthy lifestyles.