The desire of autonomy: A lever for vaccination of the elderly? Results of a qualitative study

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the challenges of vaccination and the infectious risks among the elderlies. However, immunization rates for recommended vaccines in this population are insufficient in France. We aimed in this study to identify the levers and obstacles to vaccination among senio...

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Main Authors: Alexandra Addario, Mathilde Pardo, Gaëtan Gavazzi, Bienvenu Bongue, Thomas Célarier, Solène Dorier, Nathalie Barth, Elisabeth Botelho-Nevers
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/21645515.2024.2390227
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author Alexandra Addario
Mathilde Pardo
Gaëtan Gavazzi
Bienvenu Bongue
Thomas Célarier
Solène Dorier
Nathalie Barth
Elisabeth Botelho-Nevers
author_facet Alexandra Addario
Mathilde Pardo
Gaëtan Gavazzi
Bienvenu Bongue
Thomas Célarier
Solène Dorier
Nathalie Barth
Elisabeth Botelho-Nevers
author_sort Alexandra Addario
collection DOAJ
description The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the challenges of vaccination and the infectious risks among the elderlies. However, immunization rates for recommended vaccines in this population are insufficient in France. We aimed in this study to identify the levers and obstacles to vaccination among seniors, and to establish the arguments that could lead to some new vaccination behaviors. A qualitative survey based on 14 semi-structured interviews was conducted with people aged 65 and over, living at home in the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region (France) from March to May 2022. The interviews were recorded, entirely transcribed, then subjected to a thematic content analysis. The results show that participants are keen to preserve their health by maintaining their physical capacity, taking regular exercise and eating a balanced diet. However, vaccination was not mentioned as a mean of preventing infectious diseases. Infections were not perceived as a cause for concern. Furthermore, the physical and cognitive consequences of infectious diseases, which could result in a loss of autonomy, were not known. These elements could be a good lever to bring hesitant elderly people to reconsider their position toward vaccination. Vaccines were not seen as a strategy to prevent loss of autonomy among elderlies. Since vaccines against influenza, COVID-19, shingles, pneumococcus have proved to be effective in protecting against cardiovascular events, this argument might be the starting point for a prevention campaign for the elderly.
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spelling doaj-art-b32f47dd7bd247caac8ac2e3ac0a25952025-08-20T03:22:21ZengTaylor & Francis GroupHuman Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics2164-55152164-554X2024-12-0120110.1080/21645515.2024.2390227The desire of autonomy: A lever for vaccination of the elderly? Results of a qualitative studyAlexandra Addario0Mathilde Pardo1Gaëtan Gavazzi2Bienvenu Bongue3Thomas Célarier4Solène Dorier5Nathalie Barth6Elisabeth Botelho-Nevers7Gérontopôle Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Saint-Etienne, FranceGérontopôle Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Saint-Etienne, FranceGroupe de Translational Research In Autoimmunity and Inflammation Group (T-RAIG, TIMC IMAG), Université de Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble, FranceChaire Sante des ainés, Ingénierie de la Prévention, PRESAGE Institute, Université Jean Monnet, Saint-Etienne, FranceGérontopôle Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Saint-Etienne, FranceGérontopôle Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Saint-Etienne, FranceGérontopôle Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Saint-Etienne, FranceCentre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Team GIMAP, Université Jean Monnet, Université Claude Bernard, Lyon, FranceThe COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the challenges of vaccination and the infectious risks among the elderlies. However, immunization rates for recommended vaccines in this population are insufficient in France. We aimed in this study to identify the levers and obstacles to vaccination among seniors, and to establish the arguments that could lead to some new vaccination behaviors. A qualitative survey based on 14 semi-structured interviews was conducted with people aged 65 and over, living at home in the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region (France) from March to May 2022. The interviews were recorded, entirely transcribed, then subjected to a thematic content analysis. The results show that participants are keen to preserve their health by maintaining their physical capacity, taking regular exercise and eating a balanced diet. However, vaccination was not mentioned as a mean of preventing infectious diseases. Infections were not perceived as a cause for concern. Furthermore, the physical and cognitive consequences of infectious diseases, which could result in a loss of autonomy, were not known. These elements could be a good lever to bring hesitant elderly people to reconsider their position toward vaccination. Vaccines were not seen as a strategy to prevent loss of autonomy among elderlies. Since vaccines against influenza, COVID-19, shingles, pneumococcus have proved to be effective in protecting against cardiovascular events, this argument might be the starting point for a prevention campaign for the elderly.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/21645515.2024.2390227Elderlyvaccinehealthy agingloss of autonomyphysical capacitypsychological capacity
spellingShingle Alexandra Addario
Mathilde Pardo
Gaëtan Gavazzi
Bienvenu Bongue
Thomas Célarier
Solène Dorier
Nathalie Barth
Elisabeth Botelho-Nevers
The desire of autonomy: A lever for vaccination of the elderly? Results of a qualitative study
Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics
Elderly
vaccine
healthy aging
loss of autonomy
physical capacity
psychological capacity
title The desire of autonomy: A lever for vaccination of the elderly? Results of a qualitative study
title_full The desire of autonomy: A lever for vaccination of the elderly? Results of a qualitative study
title_fullStr The desire of autonomy: A lever for vaccination of the elderly? Results of a qualitative study
title_full_unstemmed The desire of autonomy: A lever for vaccination of the elderly? Results of a qualitative study
title_short The desire of autonomy: A lever for vaccination of the elderly? Results of a qualitative study
title_sort desire of autonomy a lever for vaccination of the elderly results of a qualitative study
topic Elderly
vaccine
healthy aging
loss of autonomy
physical capacity
psychological capacity
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/21645515.2024.2390227
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