Adult influenza vaccination coverage before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
Abstract Background Vaccination prevents seasonal influenza and its complications, particularly among high-risk populations. The COVID-19 pandemic has been reported to impact healthcare behaviors and vaccination patterns. This study aims to assess influenza vaccination coverage and changes in vaccin...
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BMC
2024-12-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20854-6 |
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| author | Ruoke Chen Nicolas L. Gilbert Ève Dubé |
| author_facet | Ruoke Chen Nicolas L. Gilbert Ève Dubé |
| author_sort | Ruoke Chen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Vaccination prevents seasonal influenza and its complications, particularly among high-risk populations. The COVID-19 pandemic has been reported to impact healthcare behaviors and vaccination patterns. This study aims to assess influenza vaccination coverage and changes in vaccination settings among Canadian adults from the 2018–2019 to the 2023–2024 seasons. Method We conducted a retrospective analysis of data from multiple cycles of the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Coverage Survey (SIVCS). Vaccination coverage was examined across different seasons, stratified by population groups. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated to compare vaccination likelihoods across seasons, with 2018–2019 serving as the reference. Chi-square tests were applied to determine whether there were significant differences in the place of vaccination since the pre-pandemic season. Results When comparing vaccine uptake before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, we observed a temporary coverage decline in 2021–2022 season (OR = 0.882, 95% CI = 0.787–0.988) compared to the pre-pandemic season in 2018–2019. By the 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 seasons, vaccination coverage returned to pre-pandemic levels. Coverage among adults aged 18–64 without chronic medical condition consistently remained lower than in other groups. The places of vaccination shifted markedly, with pharmacies becoming the predominant site, increasing from 35.4% in 2018–2019 to 57.4% in 2023–2024, while doctor’s offices saw a decline from 32.7 to 15.2% over the same period. Conclusion Our findings highlight the transient effect of the pandemic on flu vaccine uptake in Canada. The increasing use of pharmacies for vaccinations underscores the importance of accessible and convenient vaccination sites. Future efforts should focus on maintaining and improving vaccination coverage through diverse and adaptable vaccination settings. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b42f5d73c93643b0bb375333d9c6431f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-b42f5d73c93643b0bb375333d9c6431f2024-12-08T12:48:30ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582024-12-012411910.1186/s12889-024-20854-6Adult influenza vaccination coverage before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic in CanadaRuoke Chen0Nicolas L. Gilbert1Ève Dubé2Infectious Diseases and Vaccination Programs Branch, Public Health Agency of CanadaInfectious Diseases and Vaccination Programs Branch, Public Health Agency of CanadaDépartement d’anthropologie, Université LavalAbstract Background Vaccination prevents seasonal influenza and its complications, particularly among high-risk populations. The COVID-19 pandemic has been reported to impact healthcare behaviors and vaccination patterns. This study aims to assess influenza vaccination coverage and changes in vaccination settings among Canadian adults from the 2018–2019 to the 2023–2024 seasons. Method We conducted a retrospective analysis of data from multiple cycles of the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Coverage Survey (SIVCS). Vaccination coverage was examined across different seasons, stratified by population groups. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated to compare vaccination likelihoods across seasons, with 2018–2019 serving as the reference. Chi-square tests were applied to determine whether there were significant differences in the place of vaccination since the pre-pandemic season. Results When comparing vaccine uptake before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, we observed a temporary coverage decline in 2021–2022 season (OR = 0.882, 95% CI = 0.787–0.988) compared to the pre-pandemic season in 2018–2019. By the 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 seasons, vaccination coverage returned to pre-pandemic levels. Coverage among adults aged 18–64 without chronic medical condition consistently remained lower than in other groups. The places of vaccination shifted markedly, with pharmacies becoming the predominant site, increasing from 35.4% in 2018–2019 to 57.4% in 2023–2024, while doctor’s offices saw a decline from 32.7 to 15.2% over the same period. Conclusion Our findings highlight the transient effect of the pandemic on flu vaccine uptake in Canada. The increasing use of pharmacies for vaccinations underscores the importance of accessible and convenient vaccination sites. Future efforts should focus on maintaining and improving vaccination coverage through diverse and adaptable vaccination settings.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20854-6Influenza vaccinationImpact of COVID-19 pandemicVaccination coveragePlace of vaccinationPublic healthCanada. |
| spellingShingle | Ruoke Chen Nicolas L. Gilbert Ève Dubé Adult influenza vaccination coverage before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada BMC Public Health Influenza vaccination Impact of COVID-19 pandemic Vaccination coverage Place of vaccination Public health Canada. |
| title | Adult influenza vaccination coverage before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada |
| title_full | Adult influenza vaccination coverage before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada |
| title_fullStr | Adult influenza vaccination coverage before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada |
| title_full_unstemmed | Adult influenza vaccination coverage before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada |
| title_short | Adult influenza vaccination coverage before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada |
| title_sort | adult influenza vaccination coverage before during and after the covid 19 pandemic in canada |
| topic | Influenza vaccination Impact of COVID-19 pandemic Vaccination coverage Place of vaccination Public health Canada. |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20854-6 |
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