Factors influencing influenza and pneumococcal immunization rates of COPD patients in Bolu, Turkey

The aim of this study was finding out the rates of pneumococcal and influenza vaccination, the factors influencing vaccination, and non-vaccination in COPD patients. The study was conducted with 104 COPD patients diagnosed by a pulmonologist. The diagnosis was made according to the GOLD 2019 document via an FEV1/FVC ratio below 70%. The patients were inquired about getting vaccinated for influenza in the last year and pneumococci in the last five years. The patients were then grouped according to their vaccination status and inquired about their perception of the necessity of vaccination. The study revealed a significant association between COPD levels and the awareness of the necessity of annual influenza vaccination (p=0.019). However, there was no significant association between COPD levels and being vaccinated for influenza in the last year (p=0.434). There was no significant association between COPD levels and pneumococcal vaccination in the last five years or the awareness for the necessity of the vaccine (p=0.0559 and p=0.495). 22.2% of the patients who were vaccinated for pneumonia were also vaccinated for influenza and 98.7% of the patients who were not vaccinated for pneumonia were also not vaccinated for influenza in the last year. 85.7% of the patients who got an influenza vaccine in the last year also knew the necessity of getting annually vaccinated (p= [Med-Science 2020; 9(1.000): 60-6