INFLUENZA VACCINATION IN THE HEALTH CENTER OF THE SPLIT-DALMATIA COUNTY IN VRGORAC

Abstract

Introduction: Adults over 65 years of age have the highest mortality rate from lower respiratory tract infections caused by influenza. People who live with or care for patients in risk groups, such as healthcare workers, should be vaccinated. Low influenza vaccination rates among certain at-risk groups contribute to the burden of disease and remain a major public health challenge. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a significant impact on seasonal influenza.

Aim: Investigate the coverage of influenza vaccination among adults at the Health Center of the Split-Dalmatia County in Vrgorac.

Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted. Data on influenza vaccinations from January 01, 2019 to December 31, 2024 at the Health Center of the Split-Dalmatia County in Vrgorac were analyzed from the electronic immunization database. The following variables were included in the analysis: vaccination coverage by year, subject category (older than 65, chronically ill, healthcare worker, other), and subject gender.

Results: A total of 2090 doses of influenza vaccine for adults were consumed. The most vaccine doses were consumed in 2020, 512 doses, and the fewest vaccine doses were consumed in the last two years, 257 and 296, respectively (p<0.05). The largest number of patients was over 65 years old, 1214, 833 were chronic patients, while 26 were healthcare workers (p<0.05).

Conclusion: A statistically significantly lower consumption of vaccine doses was found during and after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the time before the pandemic. Healthcare workers were statistically significantly less vaccinated against influenza compared to other groups.