Publication date: Jun 17, 2025
Background/Objectives: Older adults face increased vulnerability to infectious diseases such as influenza, pneumococcal infections, and COVID-19. Vaccination remains a key public health strategy, yet coverage and adverse event data in this group are limited. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of vaccination and the occurrence of post-vaccination adverse events among individuals aged 55 and older in Płock, Poland, with particular attention to gender and age differences. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted between January and November 2022 among 2040 adults aged ≥ 55 years. Participants completed a structured questionnaire on vaccination history (past 3 years) and adverse events following immunization (AEFI). Cognitive eligibility was assessed using the MMSE (≥27). Statistical analyses included t-tests, chi-square tests, and Pearson correlation coefficients with a significance level of p < 0. 05. Results: COVID-19 vaccination was reported by 86. 9% of participants, influenza vaccination by 45. 5%, and pneumococcal vaccination by 15. 1%. Women reported significantly more adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination compared to men (16. 1% vs. 8. 8%, p < 0. 001). A weak negative correlation was observed between age and number of vaccinations received (r = -0. 088, p = 0. 001), while age was positively correlated with adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination (r = 0. 175, p < 0. 001). Influenza vaccination was more common among men than women (50. 7% vs. 43. 4%, p < 0. 05). Conclusions: Vaccination coverage among older adults in Płock was highest for COVID-19 but remained suboptimal for influenza and pneumococcal vaccines. Women reported adverse events more frequently than men. These findings highlight the need for targeted vaccination strategies and gender-sensitive communication approaches.
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| Concepts | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Immunization | gender differences |
| Influenza | older adults |
| Men | vaccination coverage |
| November | |
| Poland |
Semantics
| Type | Source | Name |
|---|---|---|
| disease | MESH | infectious diseases |
| disease | MESH | influenza |
| disease | MESH | pneumococcal infections |
| disease | MESH | COVID-19 |
| disease | IDO | history |
| disease | MESH | chronic conditions |
| disease | MESH | morbidity |
| disease | MESH | infections |
| disease | MESH | pneumonia |
| disease | MESH | meningitis |
| disease | MESH | bacteremia |
| disease | MESH | respiratory infections |
| disease | IDO | process |
| disease | MESH | cognitive impairments |
| drug | DRUGBANK | Methionine |
| disease | MESH | hepatitis |
| disease | MESH | tetanus |
| disease | MESH | tick borne encephalitis |
| disease | MESH | joint pain |
| disease | MESH | measles |
| pathway | KEGG | Measles |
| disease | MESH | meningococcal infections |
| disease | MESH | jaundice |
| disease | IDO | site |
| disease | IDO | symptom |