Would patients over 65 years of age accept vaccination while hospitalised? An assessment of eligibility and...

Vaccination is effective at preventing severe illness related to influenza, pneumococcal disease and coronavirus disease 2019 COVID-19. Vaccine coverage among older Australians is incomplete, and hospitals currently administer very few vaccine doses.

This study investigated vaccination coverage for influenza, pneumococcal disease and COVID-19 among inpatients aged 65 years and over and patient-reported likelihood of accepting these vaccinations during hospitalisation.

A patient survey and audit of the Australian Immunisation Register were performed on 2 days in 2023 at Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney, Australia. All inpatients aged 65 years and over on the identified days (n = 506) were included in the audit. A total of 447 patients were offered surveys, with 311 (69.6%) responses. The likelihood of accepting vaccinations was self-reported on a 5-point scale. Audit and survey data were not linked.

Survey-reported vaccination coverage was 39.2% for COVID-19 in the last 6 months, 68.2% for influenza in 2023 and 32.1% for pneumococcal vaccination ever. The proportion of patients 'likely' or 'very likely' to accept inpatient vaccination was 58.2% for COVID-19, 62.7% for influenza and 61.1% for pneumococcus. The median likelihood score was higher among respondents who reported to be vaccinated than unvaccinated (4 vs. 3; P < 0.0001). Audit vaccination coverage was 21.1% for COVID-19 in the preceding 6 months, 60.5% for 2023 influenza vaccine and 20.6% for the recommended pneumococcal vaccine.

The study demonstrated incomplete vaccination coverage for COVID-19, influenza and pneumococcal disease among older inpatients and patient interest in an inpatient vaccination programme.