Perception of Indian Citizens on Adult Vaccination- A Triangulated Qualitative Study

Special Article: Preventive Healthcare

J Community Med Health Care. 2024; 9(1): 1069.

Perception of Indian Citizens on Adult Vaccination- A Triangulated Qualitative Study

Febina MB¹; Palatty PL²*

¹Junior Resident, Department of Pharmacology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, India

²Professor and HOD, Department of pharmacology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, India

*Corresponding author: Princy Louis Palatty Professor and HOD, Department of pharmacology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, India. Email: [email protected]

Received: January 25, 2024 Accepted: March 09, 2024 Published: March 16, 2024

Abstract

Background: Vaccination is the most effective and economical way of dealing with the diseases which can affect a large population. Adults are vulnerable to many vaccines’ preventable diseases particularly during outbreaks due to lack of immunization, waning immunity, age related factors and epidemiological shift. An adult vaccine has remained as an under-used public health strategy to promote healthy aging. It is needed to protect the most productive age group and improve the quality of life of the aging population. Hence the investigators enquired into attitude towards adult vaccination. The factors influencing need for adult vaccines was ferreted out from the data to build a necessary sensitization.

Aim: This qualitative study aims to determine the current attitude of citizens regarding adult vaccination and to determine the factors influencing adult vaccination.

Methods: This qualitative study is triangulated for robustness of the study. Focus group discussions were conducted on 3 different group consisting of 8 participants each. Participants were selected through purposive sampling. Discussions were recorded and transcribed. Questionnaire and reflective writing on adult vaccination were requested from randomly selected people from general population.

Results: There were 24 females and 22 males with a mean age of 39+/- 12. Subthemes were extracted out from the study which led to the themes. i.e. source of awareness, attitude, concepts and concerns regarding adult vaccines. Questionnaire was analysed and higher percentage showed a positive attitude towards vaccination.

Conclusion: Participants have mixed perceptions regarding adult vaccination. Creating proper awareness can tackle the various concerns related to adult vaccination.

Keywords: Adult vaccines; Qualitative; Focus group discussion

Introduction

Vaccination is the most effective and economical way to prevent diseases which can affect a large population. Vaccines have provided a more positive impact on public health globally than any other medical intervention [1]. Vaccination is required to improve herd immunity which can be achieved through catch-up coverage, protection against changing strains, protecting at-risk populations after childhood, vaccination of travellers and protection against emerging diseases. Adults are vulnerable to many vaccines’ preventable diseases particularly during outbreaks due to lack of immunization, waning immunity, age related factors and epidemiological shift. An adult vaccine is considered important for health, but still, it has remained an under-used public health strategy to promote healthy aging [2]. The popular recommended vaccines for healthy adults in India are Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), MMR (Mumps,measles, rubella), Influenza, Pneumoccocal vaccine, HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) and Zoster. Other vaccines which are recommended in high-risk individuals include Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Menningococcal, Varicella, HiB, Typhoid, Cholera, and Rabies [3]. Vaccination of children has had a major impact on the morbidity and mortality of many infectious diseases globally. Unlike adult vaccination paediatric immunization has a global program and focused substantial funding. Most developing countries do not even have vaccination policies specifically targeting adult populations [4]. Adult immunization is considered only in pregnancy, immunization of health-care workers, high-risk occupations, travel vaccines, and during pandemics. General population especially health care professionals and medical students have been recommended to take vaccines and has been suggested to take the same right from the undergraduate level. Another factor which affects adult vaccination is the public hesitancy to take vaccines due to the fear of side effects and lack of knowledge on importance of these vaccines [5].

Vaccination is needed to protect the most productive age group and improve the quality of life of the aging population [6]. It is important to know the attitude of adults towards adult vaccination as it is as important as paediatric immunization. Hence the investigators enquired into attitude towards adult vaccination. The factors influencing need for adult vaccines was ferreted out from the data to build a necessary sensitization.

Through this qualitative study we would like to understand the knowledge, attitude, and concerns regarding adult vaccines in different population groups. Better utilization of adult vaccines leads to healthier adulthood and safe ageing.

Methods

The study was carried out after seeking approval from institutional ethics committee and participants were selected after obtaining informed consent. This qualitative study was triangulated for robustness of the study (Figure 1).