The coverage of influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations among people living with HIV in Denmark: A single-center cross-sectional survey

ABSTRACT

Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all people living with HIV (PLWH), and so is pneumococcal vaccination at least once. This is due to higher incidence rates for both infections among PLWH, compared to HIV negative, even in the later highly active antiretroviral therapy era. To clarify the uptake of and attitude toward both vaccines among PLWH in Denmark, a survey on self-reported vaccine uptake was performed during 2017. Analyses identifying factors associated with vaccine uptake in the latest season for 203 participants were performed. Both influenza and pneumococcal vaccination uptake are low among PLWH in Denmark, 31.0% and 4.4%, respectively. Previous vaccination against influenza had the highest impact on influenza vaccine uptake, and lack of immunization guidance lowers the likelihood. Interventions to improve vaccination coverage are needed, such as increased awareness about guidelines and physician education.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV
• influenza
• pneumococcal disease
• vaccine coverage
• immunization

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest

None of the authors had conflicts of interest.

Supplemental data

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Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by grants from Region of Southern Denmark’s PhD fund, University of Southern Denmark´s PhD fund, Odense University Hospital and Augustinus Foundation. None of the funding sources influenced the study design, data collection, data management, data analyses or reporting.