OBJECTIVES:To build off what is currently known about community-dwelling older adults and vaccine behavior, we evaluated immunizations rates among older adults living in low-income senior housing. It was hypothesized that age, cardiac and respiratory disease, diabetes, ethnicity, race, gender, marital status, perceived health status, engagement in physical activity, smoking behavior, alcohol use, and a hospitalization in the past year would be associated with getting a shingles, pneumonia, or COVID-19 immunization.
DESIGN:This was a cross-sectional study describing immunization rates among older adults who attended a senior housing interdisciplinary wellness clinic. Residents completed a health intake assessment during their first visit to the clinic.
SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS:A total of 8 senior housing communities were included, and 498 residents completed the health intake assessment.
METHODS:In addition to vaccine data, demographic information, comorbidities, overall health status, nicotine and alcohol use, regular physical activity, and if they had been hospitalized over the past year were also obtained.
RESULTS:The average age of the participants was 76, and the majority were Black (75%), not Hispanic (86%), and had high school or higher education (81%). Overall, 59% had a pneumonia vaccine, 43% had a shingles vaccine, and 79% had a COVID-19 vaccine. Education was the only factor associated with getting a shingles vaccine, and diabetes was the only factor associated with getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS:With the exception of education, demographic factors do not seem to influence immunization activity among senior housing residents. Future research needs to consider health literacy of the participants vs just education. It may be helpful, however, to ensure that those with less education understand the value of these immunizations and raise their awareness with regard to risk of these preventable diseases.