Barriers to pneumococcal and influenza vaccination in older community-dwelling adults (2000-2001).

Objectives: To identify facilitators of and barriers to vaccination in patients from a range of socioeconomic levels.

Design: A survey was conducted in 2001 using computer-assisted telephone interviewing.

Setting: Patients from inner-city health centers and suburban practices were interviewed.

Participants: Inclusion criteria were aged 66 and older and an office visit after September 30, 1998.

Measurements: Self-reported influenza and pneumococcal vaccination status and facilitating conditions, attitudes, social influences, and perceived consequences from the Triandis model were assessed.

Results: Overall, 557 interviews were completed with 775 eligible patients (72%). Patients who reported having received pneumococcal vaccine more frequently believed that their physicians recommended the vaccine than did the unvaccinated (97% vs 49%; P=.001). This was also true for influenza vaccine (99% vs 80%; P<.001). More unvaccinated patients than vaccinated patients felt that obtaining either vaccine was more trouble than it is worth (pneumococcal 19% vs 1%; P=.04, influenza 20% vs 1%; P=.004). The vaccinated were more likely to be willing to obtain the influenza and pneumococcal vaccines at the same time (pneumococcal 91% vs 59%; P=.002, influenza 91% vs 55%; P=.014).

Conclusion: Physicians should take every opportunity to recommend vaccination to their eligible adult patients. Offering influenza and pneumococcal vaccines at the same visit is an acceptable means to ensure that adults are fully vaccinated.