Vaccination Coverage Against Pneumococcal, Influenza and Herpes Zoster Among Older Adults in UAE, Single Centre Study

Back Ground: The incidence of many infections is higher in elders, and these individuals are more prone to severe infections due to immunosenescense combined with progressive increase of proinflammatory status (inflammaging) which enhances susceptibility to morbidity, mortality and hospitalization. 

Pneumococcal disease, influenza and HZV infections are known to cause high morbidity and mortality in older adults. 

Objective: Aim of this study was to know prevalence of vaccination for Pneumococcal, influenza and HZV vaccines and associated comorbidities in elderly adults. 

Method. This is cross section study of 1894 patients’ elderly adults ages 65 and above from Hatta hospital registry for vaccination statuses of pneumococcal, Influenza and HZV vaccines. Associated comorbid conditions DM, heart disease, COPD, CKD, Dyslipidemia and cancer were noted.   

Results: A total of 1894 patients were included in the study and analyzed. Male 1013 (53.5%), Female 881 (46.5%). 52% UAE nationals, 16.5% Omani and 31.5% were from other nationalities. 

Over all 892 (47.2%) patients have comorbidities. Among chronic diseases 33% (626) had DM, 28.2% (535) heart diseases, 6.7% (127) CKD, 1.3% (24) COPD, 146 (7.7%) Dyslipidemia and 2.5% (48) had cancer. 

Out of total, 232 (12.2%) had influenza vaccine, 84 (4.4%) pneumococcal and 34 (1.8%) got HZV vaccine. p-value was significant (<0.05) for pneumococcal, influenza and HZV vaccine with overall comorbidities and different individual comorbidities. 

Conclusion: Vaccination coverage among elderly in our study was low. Most received was flu vaccine 12.2 % followed by 4.4% for pneumococcal vaccine < 2% for HZV. This highlights the need to take steps to overcome the vaccine hesitancy and increase the vaccination in elderly population.