Influenza vaccination coverage in a population-based cohort of Australian-born Aboriginal and non-Indigenous older adults

Authors

  • Amalie Dyda School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • Surendra Karki School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • Marlene Kong The Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • Heather F Gidding School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia; National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases, Children’s Hospital at Westmead and University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • John M Kaldor The Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • Peter McIntyre National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases, Children’s Hospital at Westmead and University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • Emily Banks National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Acton, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
  • C Raina MacIntyre The Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia; College of Public Service and Community Solutions, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, United States
  • Bette Liu School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33321/cdi.2019.43.30

Keywords:

Aboriginal, vaccination, influenza, coverage

Abstract

Background
There is limited information on vaccination coverage and characteristics associated with vaccine uptake in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander adults. We aimed to provide more current estimates of influenza vaccination coverage in Aboriginal adults.
Methods
Self-reported vaccination status (n=559 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander participants, n=80,655 non-Indigenous participants) from the 45 and Up Study, a large cohort of adults aged 45 years or older, was used to compare influenza vaccination coverage in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander adults with coverage in non-Indigenous adults.
Results
Of Aboriginal and non-Indigenous respondents aged 49 to <65 years, age-standardised influenza coverage was respectively 45.2% (95% CI 39.5–50.9%) and 38.5%, (37.9–39.0%), p-value for heterogeneity=0.02. Coverage for Aboriginal and non-Indigenous respondents aged ≥65 years was respectively 67.3% (59.9–74.7%) and 72.6% (72.2–73.0%), p-heterogeneity=0.16. Among Aboriginal adults, coverage was higher in obese than in healthy weight participants (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=2.38, 95%CI 1.44–3.94); in those aged <65 years with a medical risk factor than in those without medical risk factors (aOR=2.13, 1.37–3.30); and in those who rated their health as fair/poor compared to those who rated it excellent (aOR=2.57, 1.26–5.20). Similar associations were found among non-Indigenous adults.
Conclusions
In this sample of adults ≥65 years, self-reported influenza vaccine coverage was not significantly different between Aboriginal and non-Indigenous adults whereas in those <65 years, coverage was higher among Aboriginal adults. Overall, coverage in the whole cohort was suboptimal. If these findings are replicated in other samples and in the Australian Immunisation Register, it suggests that measures to improve uptake, such as communication about the importance of influenza vaccine and more effective reminder systems, are needed among adults.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Li-Kim-Moy J, Yin JK, Patel C, Beard FH, Chiu C, Macartney KK, et al. Australian vaccine preventable disease epidemiological review series: influenza 2006 to 2015. Commun Dis Intell Q Rep. 2016;40(4):E482–95.

Dyda A, Karki S, Hayen A, MacIntyre CR, Menzies R, Banks E, et al. Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in Australian adults: a systematic review of coverage and factors associated with uptake. BMC Infect Dis. 2016;16(1):515.

National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance. Significant events in influenza vaccination practice in Australia. National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, Sydney 2018. Available from: http://www.ncirs.org.au/sites/default/files/2018-11/Influenza-history-July-2018.pdf

Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee. November 2018 PBAC Meeting—Positive Recommendations. Australian Government, Department of Health, Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee; 2018. Available from: www.pbs.gov.au/industry/listing/elements/pbac-meetings/pbac-outcomes/2018-11/positive-recommendations-11-2018.docx

Hanna JN, McCulloch BG. Uptake of influenza vaccine among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island adults in north Queensland, 2002. Commun Dis Intell Q Rep. 2003;27(1):102–4.

Hanna JN, Morgan AK, McCulloch BG. Uptake of influenza vaccine among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island adults in north Queensland, 2003. Commun Dis Intell Q Rep. 2004;28(1):80–2.

Menzies R, McIntyre P, Beard F. Vaccine preventable diseases and vaccination coverage in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Australia, 1999 to 2002. Commun Dis Intell Q Rep. 2004;28(Suppl. 1):S1–45.

Menzies R, Turnour C, Chiu C, McIntyre P. Vaccine preventable diseases and vaccination coverage in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Australia 2003 to 2006. Commun Dis Intell Q Rep. 2008;32(Suppl):S2–67.

Taylor A. National Influenza Survey (A population survey of vaccination uptake in Australia). South Australian Department of Human Services, Adelaide; 2001.

Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework 2017 Report. Australian Government, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Canberra; 2017.

Banks E, Redman S, Jorm L, Armstrong B, Bauman A, Beard J, et al. Cohort profile: the 45 and up study. Int J Epidemiol. 2008;37(5):941–7.

The Sax Institute. The 45 and Up Study Researcher Toolkit. 2016; Available from: https://www.saxinstitute.org.au/our-work/45-up-study/for-researchers/ .

Gubhaju L, McNamara BJ, Banks E, Joshy G, Raphael B, Williamson A, et al. The overall health and risk factor profile of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants from the 45 and Up study. BMC Public Health. 2013;13:661.

Australian Bureau of Statistics. Population by age and sex, Australian States and Territories. 2016. cat. no. 3101.0. Available from: https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Previousproducts/3101.0Feature%20Article1Jun%202016?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=3101.0&issue=Jun%202016&num=&view=.

StataCorp. Stata Statistical Software: Release 12. College Station, TX: StataCorp LP. 2011.

Australian Bureau of Statistics. Census of Population and Housing – Counts of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, 2016. cat. no. 2075.0. Available from: https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/2075.0Main%20Features12016?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=2075.0&issue=2016&num=&view=.

Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI). Australian Immunisation Handbook. Australian Government Department of Health, Canberra; 2018. Available from: immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au.

Menzies RI, Leask J, Royle J, MacIntyre CR. Vaccine myopia: adult vaccination also needs attention. Med J Aust. 2017;206(6):238–9.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Estimated influenza illnesses and hospitalizations averted by influenza vaccination—United States, 2012–13 influenza season. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2013;62(49):997–1000.

Tan LLJ. A review of the key factors to improve adult immunization coverage rates: What can the clinician do? Vaccine. 2018;36(36):5373–8.

Lau D, Hu J, Majumdar SR, Storie DA, Rees SE, Johnson JA. Interventions to improve influenza and pneumococcal vaccination rates among community-dwelling adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Fam Med. 2012;10(6):538–46.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Tracking progress against the Implementation Plan goals for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2013–2023. Australian Government, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare; 2018. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/indigenous-health-welfare/tracking-progress-against-ipg-2013-2023/contents/healthy-adults-domain/goal-19 .

Australian Institue of Health and Welfare. 2009 Adult Vaccination Survey. Australian Government, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare; 2011. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/primary-health-care/2009-adult-vaccination-survey-summary-results/contents/table-of-contents.

National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance. Significant events in diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccination practice in Australia. National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, Sydney; 2017. Available from: http://www.ncirs.org.au/sites/default/files/2018-11/Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis-history-July-2018.pdf.

Gubhaju L, Banks E, Macniven R, Joshy G, McNamara BJ, Bauman A, et al. Factors relating to participation in follow-up to the 45 and Up study in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal individuals. BMC Med Res Methodol. 2016;16:53.

Dyda A, MacIntyre CR, McIntyre P, Newall AT, Banks E, Kaldor J, et al. Factors associated with influenza vaccination in middle and older aged Australian adults according to eligibility for the national vaccination program. Vaccine. 2015;33(29):3299–305.

Karki S, Dyda A, Newall A, Heywood A, MacIntyre CR, McIntyre P, et al. Comparison of influenza vaccination coverage between immigrant and Australian-born adults. Vaccine. 2016;34(50):6388–95.

Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey: First Results, Australia, 2012–13. Cat. no. 4727.0.55.001. Available from: https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/4727.0.55.001

Australian Bureau of Statistics. Estimates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, June 2011. Cat. no. 3238.0.55.001. Available from: https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/3238.0.55.001Main+Features1June%202011

Mac Donald R, Baken L, Nelson A, Nichol KL. Validation of self-report of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination status in elderly outpatients. Am J Prev Med. 1999;16(3):173–7.

Rolnick SJ, Parker ED, Nordin JD, Hedblom BD, Wei F, Kerby T, et al. Self-report compared to electronic medical record across eight adult vaccines: do results vary by demographic factors? Vaccine. 2013;31(37):3928–35.

Jacobson Vann JC, Jacobson RM, Coyne-Beasley T, Asafu-Adjei JK, Szilagyi PG. Patient reminder and recall interventions to improve immunization rates. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;1:CD003941.

Dexter LJ, Teare MD, Dexter M, Siriwardena AN, Read RC. Strategies to increase influenza vaccination rates: outcomes of a nationwide cross-sectional survey of UK general practice. BMJ Open. 2012;2(3). pii: e000851.

Squires SG1, Pelletier L. Publicly-funded influenza and pneumococcal immunization programs in Canada: a progress report. Can Commun Dis Rep. 2000;26(17):141–8.

Hendry AJ, Beard FH, Dey A, Meijer D, Campbell-Lloyd S, Clark KK, et al. Closing the vaccination coverage gap in New South Wales: the Aboriginal Immunisation Healthcare Worker Program. Med J Aust. 2018;209 (1):24–8.

Department of Human Services. Australian Immunisation Register. Australian Government, Department of Human Services, Canberra; 2018. Available from: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/medicare/australian-immunisation-register.

Downloads

Published

16/07/19

How to Cite

Dyda, Amalie, Surendra Karki, Marlene Kong, Heather F Gidding, John M Kaldor, Peter McIntyre, Emily Banks, C Raina MacIntyre, and Bette Liu. 2019. “Influenza Vaccination Coverage in a Population-Based Cohort of Australian-Born Aboriginal and Non-Indigenous Older Adults”. Communicable Diseases Intelligence 43 (July). https://doi.org/10.33321/cdi.2019.43.30.

Issue

Vol. 43 (2019)

Section

Original article

Categories

License

Copyright (c) 2019 Communicable Diseases Intelligence

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.