The United States Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends annual influenza vaccinations to all people aged ≥ 6 months without contraindications. People with high-risk, such as elderly aged ≥65 years, patients with chronic diseases, children aged 6 to 59 months, pregnant women, and health care workers should be prioritized for vaccination programs. In addition to this group, elderly people with disabilities also need to be considered as priorities for vaccination.
Coverage of influenza vaccination in Indonesia is still very low at less than 1 percent in 2019. Influenza disease in Indonesia is still underestimated by many people. Society believes that influenza is a mild disease and ordinary disease, but it needs to be understood that influenza is an acute respiratory disease that is easily transmitted. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that 5-10% of adults and 20-30% of children are infected with influenza every year. From the data, around 290,000 to 650,000 people die from influenza in the world. Therefore, the government should deem the vaccination program important.
Results of research in Taiwan using the largest elderly cohort data (with and without disabilities) showed the effectiveness of influenza vaccine in elderly people with disabilities. This study is the first population-based cohort study to show a reduction in all causes of death, influenza-related morbidity, length of hospital stay, and medical expenses for parents with disabilities as a result of influenza vaccination. In this study, it was also mentioned that older people with disabilities are more vulnerable to mortality and morbidity related to influenza than non-disabled parents. Those who are not vaccinated have a greater risk than those who were vaccinated.
The worsening condition of elderly people with disabilities can affect the immune system, thereby affecting their capacity to fight chronic infections and respiratory diseases. Thus, putting them at greater risk of severe illness and being hospitalized. They also risk having higher levels of mortality and morbidity related to influenza due to limited mobility. They may have difficulty understanding or practicing preventative measures. They may not be able to communicate symptoms of the disease, and they may not be closely monitored for symptoms of the disease.
The term “disability” in the Population Profile of Persons with Disabilities in Taiwan refers to individuals with other chronic health conditions that interfere or limit physical, cognitive, or functional capacity. This applies to people with neurological conditions and neurodevelopment, such as disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and muscles; developmental delay; muscular dystrophy; and spinal cord injury.
Taiwan is a country with highest concentration of influenza disease management. The Taiwan Center for Disease Control (TCDC) and the Communicable Disease Control Advisory Committee has several health strategies to prevent seasonal influenza. The Taiwanese government runs campaigns for national influenza vaccination to control the risk of influenza transmission among vulnerable groups. The annual government-funded influenza vaccination campaign aims to reduce influenza transmission and influenza-related mortality and morbidity. Taiwan’s free vaccine is given to adults 65 years of age and people with high risk of having serious complications. The Taiwan government believes the results of research that influenza vaccines can reduce the risk of dementia, bleeding, and ischemic stroke in individuals with chronic kidney disease or atrial fibrillation. Several studies have also shown the benefits that can be observed from the administration of influenza vaccine in elderly people with disabilities, especially in Asia.
Author: Ernawaty
If you are interested in this topic, you can read the article at: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/8/1/112/htm
Yu-Chia Chang, Ho-Jui Tung, Yu-Tung Huang, Chin-Te Lu, Ernawaty and Szu-Yuan Wu. 2020. Effects of Influenza Vaccination on Mortality and Risk of Hospitalization in Elderly Individuals with and without Disabilities: A Nationwide, Population-Based Cohort Study. Vaccines Special Issue.
