The study on factors hampering the adherence to pneumococcal vaccination protocol in a geriatric clinic of a tertiary care hospital in Kerala

Dr Aswin Rajeev; Dr George Paul; Dr Priya Vijayakumar

Volume : VIII, Issue : II, February - 2019

The study on factors hampering the adherence to pneumococcal vaccination protocol in a geriatric clinic of a tertiary care hospital in Kerala

Dr Aswin Rajeev, Dr George Paul, Dr Priya Vijayakumar

Abstract :

Background: Elderly patients are considered as a vulnerable group in population due to various factors. Pneumococcal vaccination has gained importance in clinical practice as various studies in recent past has shown definitive long term benefits. Hence prevention of diseases wherever possible has got significant role in geriatric health care.

Objective: To study the contributory factors hampering the regular vaccination practice in elderly patients attending a geriatric clinic.

Materials and methods: The study was done as a retrospective observational study. 233 patients who presented to the Geriatric Medicine OPD for first time and for review in the month of October – Novemeber 2018 were given vaccination advise by the nurse and later by the physician. They were counselled on benefits of pneumococcal vaccination and its cost effectiveness. They were asked their willingness to get vaccinated and vaccines were administered to those who agreed. The reasons for non willingness were asked and recorded in the case sheets.

Results: Only 5% of study population were willing to get vaccinated. The reasons for on compliance were 31% felt that the cost of vaccine was high, 11% were not aware of such a vaccination and data was not specified in charts for 58%.