Vaccines

Research

9 pages, 434 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influenza Vaccination and COVID-19 Outcomes in People Older than 50 Years: Data from the Observational Longitudinal SHARE Study

by Nicola Veronese, Lee Smith, Francesco Di Gennaro, Olivier Bruyère, Lin Yang, Jacopo Demurtas, Stefania Maggi, Shaun Sabico, Nasser M. Al-Daghri, Mario Barbagallo, Ligia J. Dominguez and Ai Koyanagi

Vaccines 2022, 10(6), 899; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10060899 - 04 Jun 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2195

Abstract

Existing literature on the association between influenza vaccination and COVID-19 infection/outcomes is conflicting. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between influenza vaccination and COVID-19 outcomes in a large cohort of adults who participated in the SHARE (Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement [...] Read more.

Existing literature on the association between influenza vaccination and COVID-19 infection/outcomes is conflicting. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between influenza vaccination and COVID-19 outcomes in a large cohort of adults who participated in the SHARE (Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe). Information regarding influenza vaccination in the previous year, and medical and demographic characteristics, were self-reported. Positivity for COVID-19, symptomatology, and hospitalization were also ascertained using self-reported information. An adjusted logistic regression analysis (including 15 baseline factors or propensity score) was used to assess the association between influenza vaccination and COVID-19 outcomes. A total of 48,408 participants (mean age 67 years; 54.1% females) were included. The prevalence of influenza vaccination was 38.3%. After adjusting for 15 potential confounders, influenza vaccination was significantly associated with a lower risk of positivity for COVID-19 (OR = 0.95; p < 0.0001), symptomatic forms (OR = 0.87; p < 0.0001), and hospitalization for COVID-19 (OR = 0.95; p < 0.0001). The results were similar when using a propensity score approach. In conclusion, influenza vaccination may be beneficial for the prevention of COVID-19, as the present study found that influenza vaccination was associated with a small/moderate lower risk of COVID-19 infection and adverse outcomes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Knowledge about Vaccines and Vaccination in Older People)

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16 pages, 1568 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identification of Barriers Limiting the Use of Preventive Vaccinations against Influenza among the Elderly Population: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

by Alicja Pietraszek, Małgorzata Sobieszczańska, Sebastian Makuch, Mateusz Dróżdż, Grzegorz Mazur and Siddarth Agrawal

Vaccines 2022, 10(5), 651; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10050651 - 20 Apr 2022

Viewed by 1997

Abstract

Older adults are at a high risk of experiencing severe complications of influenza. Receiving a vaccination is a beneficial strategy to prevent the disease and reduce the severity of influenza illnesses. This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study aimed to evaluate the influence of sociodemographic, clinical, [...] Read more.

Older adults are at a high risk of experiencing severe complications of influenza. Receiving a vaccination is a beneficial strategy to prevent the disease and reduce the severity of influenza illnesses. This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study aimed to evaluate the influence of sociodemographic, clinical, and mental parameters as well as other potential risk factors on refusal to vaccinate against influenza among the elderly population in Poland. Furthermore, due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, we put efforts into finding any statistical correlations between the fear of COVID-19 infection in patients and their attitudes toward receiving an influenza vaccination. The study was conducted in November–December 2020 in Poland on a representative nationwide sample of 500 individuals aged > 60. Of the respondents, 62 (12.4%) and 51 (10.2%) underwent influenza vaccination in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Out of ten different factors analyzed in this study, three were significantly associated with attitudes towards influenza vaccination. Participants with net income below the national average of PLN 3000 (OR = 2.37, CI 95% [1.26–4.47]), compared to those earning more than PLN 3000, had significantly higher odds of having a negative attitude towards influenza vaccination. Furthermore, respondents with <174 cm height (OR = 2.56, CI 95% [1.51–4.33]) and those with strong fear of COVID-19 infection (OR = 1.65, CI95% [1.02–2.66]) were also more likely to refrain from influenza vaccination. We believe the identification of factors limiting the willingness to receive influenza vaccination is an effective way to help clinicians focus their efforts on educating the groups of patients with the highest odds of refusing to receive the vaccine. Moreover, it may aid the design and enforcement of national solutions or the implementation of novel legislative measures and preventive programs, increasing public confidence and promoting vaccination, especially among groups at high risk of developing this disease. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Knowledge about Vaccines and Vaccination in Older People)

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9 pages, 370 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multidimensional Frailty and Vaccinations in Older People: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Nicola Veronese, Giusy Vassallo, Maria Armata, Laura Cilona, Salvatore Casalicchio, Roberta Masnata, Claudio Costantino, Francesco Vitale, Giovanni Maurizio Giammanco, Stefania Maggi, Shaun Sabico, Nasser M. Al-Daghri, Ligia J. Dominguez and Mario Barbagallo

Vaccines 2022, 10(4), 555; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10040555 - 03 Apr 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2116

Abstract

It is known that influenza, herpes zoster, pneumococcal and pertussis infections may increase morbidity and mortality in older people. Vaccinations against these pathogens are effective in older adults. Frailty seems to be an important determinant of vaccination rates, yet data supporting this association [...] Read more.

It is known that influenza, herpes zoster, pneumococcal and pertussis infections may increase morbidity and mortality in older people. Vaccinations against these pathogens are effective in older adults. Frailty seems to be an important determinant of vaccination rates, yet data supporting this association are still missing. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of four recommended vaccinations (influenza, herpes zoster, pneumococcal and diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis) and the association with multidimensional frailty assessed using a self-reported comprehensive geriatric assessment tool, i.e., the multidimensional prognostic index (SELFY-MPI). Older participants visiting the outpatient clinic of Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, Palermo, Italy were included. The SELFY-MPI questionnaire score was calculated based on eight different domains, while the vaccination status was determined using self-reported information. We included 319 participants from the 500 initially considered (63.8%). Vaccination against influenza was observed in 70.5% of the cases, whilst only 1.3% received the vaccination against diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis. Participants with higher SELFY-MPI scores were more likely to report vaccination against pneumococcus (45.6 vs. 28.3%, p = 0.01), whilst no significant differences were observed for the other vaccinations. In conclusion, the coverage of recommended vaccinations is low. Higher SELFY-MPI scores and vaccination status, particularly anti-pneumococcus, appear to be associated, but future studies are urgently needed for confirming that frailty is associated with vaccination status in older people. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Knowledge about Vaccines and Vaccination in Older People)

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9 pages, 610 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Independent Study to Compare Compliance, Attitudes, Knowledge, and Sources of Knowledge about Pneumococcal Vaccinations among an Italian Sample of Older Adults

by Caterina Suitner, Bruno Gabriel Salvador Casara, Stefania Maggi and Vincenzo Baldo

Vaccines 2022, 10(4), 490; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10040490 - 23 Mar 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2098

Abstract

Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae is one of the leading causes of pneumoniae deaths, especially among elderly individuals, with the vaccine being the primary prevention instrument. However, information on national vaccine coverage among the elderly population is scarce and sparse. Methods: A survey involved a [...] Read more.

Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae is one of the leading causes of pneumoniae deaths, especially among elderly individuals, with the vaccine being the primary prevention instrument. However, information on national vaccine coverage among the elderly population is scarce and sparse. Methods: A survey involved a representative sample of Italians older than 65 years (n = 600), who agreed to participate in the study through a phone interview. Participants’ self-reported pneumococcal vaccination status, vaccine literacy, information source, and risk perception related to the infection and to vaccines-adverse reactions were assessed. Results: The reported vaccination status is very low (11.2%), with respondents largely uninformed about vaccination opportunities. The results also show that the predominant (and most effective) source of information is healthcare providers, with vaccine hesitancy being positively linked to risk perception related to disease and negatively linked to risk perception of vaccine adverse reactions. Conclusions: This study suggests the need to collect data to systematically monitor vaccination coverage and calls for information campaigns to improve elderly literacy to increase vaccination uptake. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Knowledge about Vaccines and Vaccination in Older People)

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Review

Jump to: Research, Other

22 pages, 1334 KiB

Open AccessReview

Immunosenescence and Altered Vaccine Efficiency in Older Subjects: A Myth Difficult to Change

by Tamas Fulop, Anis Larbi, Graham Pawelec, Alan A. Cohen, Guillaume Provost, Abedelouahed Khalil, Guy Lacombe, Serafim Rodrigues, Mathieu Desroches, Katsuiku Hirokawa, Claudio Franceschi and Jacek M. Witkowski

Vaccines 2022, 10(4), 607; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10040607 - 13 Apr 2022

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 4783

Abstract

Organismal ageing is associated with many physiological changes, including differences in the immune system of most animals. These differences are often considered to be a key cause of age-associated diseases as well as decreased vaccine responses in humans. The most often cited vaccine [...] Read more.

Organismal ageing is associated with many physiological changes, including differences in the immune system of most animals. These differences are often considered to be a key cause of age-associated diseases as well as decreased vaccine responses in humans. The most often cited vaccine failure is seasonal influenza, but, while it is usually the case that the efficiency of this vaccine is lower in older than younger adults, this is not always true, and the reasons for the differential responses are manifold. Undoubtedly, changes in the innate and adaptive immune response with ageing are associated with failure to respond to the influenza vaccine, but the cause is unclear. Moreover, recent advances in vaccine formulations and adjuvants, as well as in our understanding of immune changes with ageing, have contributed to the development of vaccines, such as those against herpes zoster and SARS-CoV-2, that can protect against serious disease in older adults just as well as in younger people. In the present article, we discuss the reasons why it is a myth that vaccines inevitably protect less well in older individuals, and that vaccines represent one of the most powerful means to protect the health and ensure the quality of life of older adults. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Knowledge about Vaccines and Vaccination in Older People)

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7 pages, 224 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Implications of Vaccines in Older Populations

by Jean-Pierre Michel and Emilia Frangos

Vaccines 2022, 10(3), 431; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10030431 - 11 Mar 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2063

Abstract

Mean longevity is increasing worldwide, with major consequences for public health worldwide, as the global population of adults aged over 65 years now exceeds the number of children under 5 for the first time in history. The ageing process over the life course [...] Read more.

Mean longevity is increasing worldwide, with major consequences for public health worldwide, as the global population of adults aged over 65 years now exceeds the number of children under 5 for the first time in history. The ageing process over the life course is extremely heterogeneous, and it will be important to promote and enhance healthy ageing worldwide. Vaccination is a key player in the healthy ageing process, both at the individual and the community level. We review here the contribution of vaccines to individual and community health. At an individual level, we highlight the prevention of infectious diseases, as well as other, less well-known benefits of vaccination, such as modulation of the inflammatory process. We then underline the importance of vaccination in achieving herd immunity and reducing the transmission of pathogens in the community. Finally, at a community level, another important benefit of vaccination is the reduction in antimicrobial resistance. Taken together, these effects contribute to ensuring the best health, for the greatest number, for the longest time possible. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Knowledge about Vaccines and Vaccination in Older People)

16 pages, 311 KiB

Open AccessReview

Vaccines and Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2: Considerations for the Older Population

by Birgit Weinberger

Vaccines 2021, 9(12), 1435; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9121435 - 04 Dec 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3709

Abstract

Age is among the most prominent risk factors for developing severe COVID-19 disease, and therefore older adults are a major target group for vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. This review focusses on age-associated aspects of COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination strategies, and summarizes data on immunogenicity, [...] Read more.

Age is among the most prominent risk factors for developing severe COVID-19 disease, and therefore older adults are a major target group for vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. This review focusses on age-associated aspects of COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination strategies, and summarizes data on immunogenicity, efficacy and effectiveness of the four COVID-19 vaccines, which are licensed in the US and/or Europe; namely, the two mRNA vaccines by BioNTech/Pfizer (BNT162b2) and Moderna (mRNA-1273), and the adenovector vaccines developed by AstraZeneca/University Oxford (ChAdOx1-nCoV-19, AZD1222) and Janssen/Johnson&Johnson (Ad26.COV2-S), respectively. After very high protection rates in the first months after vaccination even in the older population, effectiveness of the vaccines, particularly against asymptomatic infection and mild disease, declined at later time points and with the emergence of virus variants. Many high-income countries have recently started administration of additional doses to older adults and other high-risk groups, whereas other parts of the world are still struggling to acquire and distribute vaccines for primary vaccination. Other vaccines are available in other countries and clinical development for more vaccine candidates is ongoing, but a complete overview of COVID-19 vaccine development is beyond the scope of this article. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Knowledge about Vaccines and Vaccination in Older People)

Other

Jump to: Research, Review

19 pages, 2330 KiB

Open AccessOpinion

Manifesto on the Value of Adult Immunization: “We Know, We Intend, We Advocate”

by Raffaele Antonelli-Incalzi, Francesco Blasi, Michele Conversano, Giovanni Gabutti, Sandro Giuffrida, Stefania Maggi, Cinzia Marano, Alessandro Rossi and Marta Vicentini

Vaccines 2021, 9(11), 1232; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9111232 - 22 Oct 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4488

Abstract

Immunization through vaccination is a milestone achievement that has made a tremendous contribution to public health. Historically, immunization programs aimed firstly to protect children, who were disproportionally affected by infectious diseases. However, vaccine-preventable diseases can have significant impacts on adult mortality, health, and [...] Read more.

Immunization through vaccination is a milestone achievement that has made a tremendous contribution to public health. Historically, immunization programs aimed firstly to protect children, who were disproportionally affected by infectious diseases. However, vaccine-preventable diseases can have significant impacts on adult mortality, health, and quality of life. Despite this, adult vaccinations have historically been overlooked in favor of other health priorities, because their benefits to society were not well recognized. As the general population is aging, the issue of vaccination in older adults is gaining importance. In high-income countries, recommendations for the routine vaccination of older adults have been gradually introduced. The Italian National Immunization Plan is considered to be among the most advanced adult vaccination plans in Europe. However, available data indicate there is low adherence to vaccination recommendations in Italy. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the damage that can be caused by an infectious disease, especially among adults and individuals with comorbidities. The aim of this “Manifesto”, therefore, is to provide an overview of the existing evidence on the value of adult vaccination, in the Italian context, with a call to action to healthcare providers and health authorities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Knowledge about Vaccines and Vaccination in Older People)

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