Awareness among adults of vaccine-preventable diseases and recommended vaccinations, United States, 2015

Vaccine. 2017 May 25;35(23):3104-3115. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.04.028. Epub 2017 Apr 28.

Abstract

Background: Adults are recommended to receive select vaccinations based on their age, underlying medical conditions, lifestyle, and other considerations. Factors associated with awareness of vaccine-preventable diseases and recommended vaccines among adults in the United States have not been explored.

Methods: Data from a 2015 internet panel survey of a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults aged ≥19years were analyzed to assess awareness of selected vaccine-preventable diseases and recommended vaccines for adults. A multivariable logistic regression model with a predictive marginal approach was used to identify factors independently associated with awareness of selected vaccine-preventable infections/diseases and corresponding vaccines.

Results: Among the surveyed population, from 24.6 to 72.1% reported vaccination for recommended vaccines. Awareness of vaccine-preventable diseases among adults aged ≥19years ranged from 63.4% to 94.0% (63.4% reported awareness of HPV, 71.5% reported awareness of tetanus, 72.0% reported awareness of pertussis, 75.4% reported awareness of HZ, 75.8% reported awareness of hepatitis B, 83.1% reported awareness of pneumonia, and 94.0% reported awareness of influenza). Awareness of the corresponding vaccines among adults aged ≥19years ranged from 59.3% to 94.1% (59.3% HZ vaccine, 59.6% HPV vaccine, 64.3% hepatitis B vaccine, 66.2% pneumococcal vaccine, 86.3% tetanus vaccines, and 94.1% influenza vaccine). In multivariable analysis, being female and being a college graduate were significantly associated with a higher level of awareness for majority of vaccine-preventable diseases, and being female, being a college graduate, and working as a health care provider were significantly associated with a higher level of awareness for majority of corresponding vaccines.

Conclusions: Although adults in this survey reported high levels of awareness for most vaccines recommended for adults, self-reported vaccination coverage was not optimal. Combining interventions known to increase uptake of recommended vaccines, such as patient reminder/recall systems and other healthcare system-based interventions, and ensuring patients' vaccination needs are assessed, are needed to improve vaccination of adults.

Keywords: Adult vaccination; Adult vaccine awareness; Vaccine-preventable diseases.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Communicable Disease Control / statistics & numerical data*
  • Educational Status
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Hepatitis B / prevention & control
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Immunization Programs*
  • Influenza Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Papillomavirus Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Pneumococcal Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Sex Factors
  • Tetanus / prevention & control
  • United States
  • Vaccination / psychology
  • Vaccination / statistics & numerical data*
  • Whooping Cough / prevention & control
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Hepatitis B Vaccines
  • Influenza Vaccines
  • Papillomavirus Vaccines
  • Pneumococcal Vaccines