Adult vaccination in people living with HIV attending a tertiary centre infectious diseases clinic.

BACKGROUND

People living with HIV (PLWH) are at increased risk of acquiring vaccine-preventable diseases and of developing severe illness because of their underlying immunodeficiency. Despite this risk, vaccination coverage remains low among these patients. International and local guidelines exist to address immunisation recommendations in PLWH, but evidence on adherence, knowledge, and attitudes toward vaccination in this population remain limited.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to investigate vaccination uptake, knowledge, and acceptance among PLWH.

METHOD: Interviews and retrospective file reviews were undertaken among PLWH attending the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital Infectious Diseases Clinic from 01 June 2023 to 30 June 2023.

RESULTS

A total of 107 PLWH were interviewed, of whom 72 were women (67.3%), with a mean age of 47 years. Most (76.6%) had a prior history of tuberculosis. Overall, 24.3% had received at least one vaccine after their HIV diagnosis, of which influenza was the most common (76.9%). Only four vaccines, namely those against influenza, hepatitis B, herpes zoster and pneumococcus, were known to, or had been received by, the patients. While 65% believed vaccines could prevent disease, and 41.1% thought they could be harmful, notably 67.2% were willing to accept a vaccine if recommended by a healthcare provider.

CONCLUSION

Our study revealed low vaccination rates amongst PLWH in Johannesburg, South Africa, specifically regarding guidelines from the South African HIV Clinicians Society. Increased awareness of the influenza vaccine and direct recommendations from healthcare providers were key factors linked to vaccine uptake.