Demographic and behavioral characteristics of populations vaccinated against Covid-19 with and without prior influenza vaccines, aged 65 and above: a combined cross-sectional and survey study

Galia Zacay, Anthony Heymann, Danna Valinsky

Keywords: Immunization, Patient Adherence, public health, Community medicine, doctor-patient relationship

Background:

The proportion of the population vaccinated in Israel against Covid-19 during 2021 was extremely high compared with the uptake rates of the influenza vaccine. Understanding the precipitating factors that led to the high vaccination rate may facilitate maintaining these rates, in the event of a recommendation for a seasonal Covid-19 vaccine.

Research questions:

The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with repeat influenza vaccination that may assist in maintaining high adherence to the Covid-19 vaccine in the future.

Method:

We used a mixed-methods design for this study. The first part was a cross-sectional study of adults aged 65 and over who were vaccinated against Covid-19, comparing variables such as age, gender and health status between those with a history of influenza vaccination in the previous five years and those without. The second part consisted of a questionnaire administered to a subsample of the above population regarding vaccine hesitancy and intention to be vaccinated.

Results:

Strong adherence to annual influenza vaccine recommendations was associated with earlier Covid-19 vaccine uptake. Regardless of previous influenza vaccine history, all groups had a high uptake of the third Covid-19 booster vaccine. Respondents with lower adherence to influenza vaccines were more likely to demonstrate higher levels of vaccine hesitancy, but despite this, motivators for the Covid-19 vaccine were similar between groups.

Conclusions:

Confidence in the health system and the Covid-19 vaccine is a strong motivator regarding vaccine uptake. This should be addressed to maintain high vaccination rates.

Points for discussion:

what may be the best approach to motivate the public to adhere to vaccination recommendation?