Vaccination coverage among older adults: a population-based study in India

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Vaccination is crucial for preventing infectious diseases in older adults.
• Limited data exists on vaccine uptake among adults aged 45 and above in India.
• Understanding vaccination patterns is essential for public health planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the prevalence of vaccine uptake in Indian adults aged 45 and older.
• To identify sociodemographic and health-related predictors of vaccine uptake in this population.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (2017-2018).
• Included 64,714 adults aged 45+.
• Employed multivariable binary logistic regression to analyze predictors of vaccine uptake for influenza, pneumococcal, typhoid, and hepatitis B vaccines.

Main Results:

• Vaccine coverage was below 2% for all studied vaccines (influenza, pneumococcal, typhoid, hepatitis B).
• Higher uptake observed in individuals with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or lung disease.
• Significant predictors included male sex, urban residence, higher socioeconomic status, education, existing medical conditions, and sedentary behavior.

Conclusions:

• Low vaccination coverage necessitates targeted policies and programs for older adults in India.
• Special attention is needed for individuals with chronic diseases.
• Further research should explore vaccine access, hesitancy, and communication strategies.