Influenza vaccination in chronic asthma patients. Are more severely ill patients more likely to seek vaccination?

Introduction: Guidelines for asthma advise annual influenza vaccination. Aims: To re-assess vaccination rates and attitudes amongst out-patients in hospital clinic for chronic asthma Method: A questionnaire to patients interviewed in 2011/2 was carried out in 2012/3 Results : Out 146 patients interviewed in 2011/2, 109 patients(78 Female, mean age 53.6, SD 18.0) responded. Vaccination rate was 63.3%, (F70.%. M 45.2%) compared to 54.8% in previous year. 9 (8.3%) patients did not revaccinate while 28.4% did not for either year. 102/109(93.5% reported previous vaccination) and 78(71.6%) vaccinated in at least one year in the last 2. Reasons for newly vaccinated patients(n=18) were doctor’s advice 18 (100%), to protect self 5 (27.8%), to protect family 1 (5.6%), to prevent asthma exacerbations 4(22.2%). For 51 Revaccinated patients 66.7, 39.2, 13.7, 47.1% respectively. Patients vaccinated in 2011/2012 had 0.58 coarses of steroid/patient/year, and 7.3 visits of nebulizer/patient/year while non vaccinated needed 0.18/pt/yr, and 0.65/pt/yr respectively. 13 of 51(25.5%) re-vaccinated patients, and 20/78 (25.6%) of patients vaccinated over two years did so despite reporting previous side effects. Of 31 not vaccinated in either year 22 (71.0%) said this was for fear of side effects. Those Vaccinated in 2011/2(n= 60), 20(33.3%) used beta agonist daily, 14 (23.3%)2-4 times per week, and 26(43.3%) never. For non vaccinated patients in 2011/2 data was 16.3%, 26.5%, 57.12%, respectively. Conclusion. Re-vaccinated patients gave much more weight to preventing severe asthma attacks and more severely affected patients are likely to vaccinate even in the light of past side effects.