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Vaccination Motivators and Deterrents Among Undervaccinated Older Adults in North Dakota

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Abstract

Despite increased risk of morbidity and mortality among older adults due to preventable infectious diseases such as influenza, shingles, pneumonia, and COVID-19, many forego receiving some, if not all, of these vaccinations. This study examines vaccination motivators and deterrents for undervaccinated older adults in North Dakota (ND). Adults aged 65+ in ND were mailed a survey (n = 901) with questions gauging vaccination behaviors and perceptions, with 132 of these indicating not receiving certain vaccinations. Further questions assessed reasons they have not been vaccinated against the following diseases: influenza, shingles, pneumonia, and COVID-19 (e.g., “Concerned about side effects”, “Vaccines are dangerous”, “I’m healthy and I do not need it”) and what would make it more likely to get a vaccine (e.g., “More information”, “Doctor recommendation”, “Easy access to vaccines”). Reasons for remaining unvaccinated varied by vaccine. For influenza and pneumococcal vaccines, respondents were more likely to indicate they are healthy and do not need the vaccine. For shingles and COVID-19, respondents were more likely to indicate concerns about side effects. Factors reported to motivate increasing the likelihood of getting a vaccine were receiving a doctor recommendation, receiving more information, and having a vaccine provided at no cost. These results contribute to our understanding of vaccination behaviors among older adults and underscore specific issues around which to frame interventions tailored to increase vaccine uptake for this population.

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Funding

This work is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through a financial assistance award (G19.1238B) to the NDSU Center for Immunization Research and Education (PI Carson) from the ND Department of Health (NH23IP922623). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health, North Dakota State University, Dept. 2662, PO Box 6050, Fargo, ND, 58108-6050, USA

    Andrea L. Huseth-Zosel & Paul J. Carson

  2. Department of Human Development and Family Science, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA

    Heather Fuller

  3. Department of Internal Medicine, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, ND, USA

    Paul J. Carson

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  1. Andrea L. Huseth-Zosel
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Correspondence to Andrea L. Huseth-Zosel.

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Huseth-Zosel, A.L., Fuller, H. & Carson, P.J. Vaccination Motivators and Deterrents Among Undervaccinated Older Adults in North Dakota. J Community Health (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-024-01351-8

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