Uptake of influenza and pneumococcal vaccines among older adults attending primary health care centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

CONTEXT: Influenza and pneumococcal infections cause substantial morbidity and mortality in older adults, particularly those with chronic comorbidities. Despite proven benefits, vaccination coverage remains low.

AIMS: To assess utilization of influenza and pneumococcal vaccines and identify predictors of uptake among adults aged ≥65 years.

SETTINGS AND

DESIGN

Longitudinal retrospective study using electronic health records of patients aged ≥65 years attending Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs (MNGHA) primary health care centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (2020-2023).

METHODS AND MATERIAL: Demographics, comorbidities, visit frequency, and vaccination status for influenza vaccine and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) were extracted. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of influenza and PCV13 uptake, reported as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression; two-sided P < 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

Among 18,950 patients (mean age 73.7 ± 7.3 years; 52.3% female), influenza vaccination coverage was 467 (2.46%) and PCV13 uptake was 147 (0.77%). Males had higher odds of receiving influenza (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.12-1.63) and PCV13 (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.05-2.03). Uptake was higher among patients with dyslipidemia, asthma, diabetes, or hypertension. Vaccination peaked in 2021 and declined sharply in 2022-2023. Dirab clinic showed the highest vaccination rates.

CONCLUSIONS

Influenza and PCV13 coverage among older adults in Riyadh primary care was very low, with variation by gender, comorbidities, and clinic. Targeted interventions are needed to improve uptake and reduce preventable infectious disease burden.