Change in Pneumococcal and Influenza Vaccine Awareness in Diabetic Patients in the Last 2 Years

Authors : Esra Bayar, Zeynep Koç, Seydahmet Akin

Pages : 224-230

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Publication Date : 2023-12-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Aim: Our study aimed to evaluate the influenza and pneumococcal vaccination rates in patients diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and the awareness of these patients about vaccination after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Material and Method: Between April and May 2022, a questionnaire was applied to diabetic patients who met the criteria and applied to the internal medicine outpatient clinic at the University of Health Sciences, Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kirdar City Hospital, questioning the status of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination, and their awareness of vaccination before and after the COVID-19 pandemic; and the results were evaluated. Results: A total of 195 cases, 43.6% female and 56.4% male, with a mean age of 58.53±10.73 years, were included in the study. 92.8% of the cases were T2DM; and the mean duration of diabetes mellitus was 15.11±7.64 years. 48.2% of the cases had at least one type of vaccine (83% influenza, 47.9% pneumococcal vaccine) before the pandemic. It was observed that 51.8% of the cases were not vaccinated with influenza and pneumococcal vaccines. Among the reasons why these patients were not vaccinated, the most common reason was that the doctor did not give information about vaccination (44.6%). 70.3% of the cases who had not been vaccinated before decided to have both vaccinations after the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: In our study, it was determined that the pneumococcal and influenza vaccination rates of diabetic patients were low before the COVID-19 pandemic, and the most important factor causing this was the inadequacy of the physician to inform the patients. Patient age, diagnosis of T2DM, duration of diabetes mellitus, and presence of additional disease were positively associated with vaccination. According to the data, the COVID-19 pandemic has positively affected the approach to vaccination of diabetic patients who have not been vaccinated before.
Keywords : awareness, diabetes mellitus, influenza vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine