Survey on Adult Immunization

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The importance of immunization has never been overemphasized. Immunization has provided protection from diseases that were fatal and inevitable and has allowed human beings to escape from the burden of suffering. Although infant and childhood immunization was rapidly implemented since the availability of vaccines in Korea, those of adults have not been stressed enough. The purpose of this study was to find out about the attitude and knowledge of patients relating to adult immunization. METHODS: Patients who visited two family practice clinics located in Seoul were surveyed. Questionnaire consisted of 30 items including general questions relating to immunization and specific questions concerning hepatitis B, influenza, and tetanus. RESULTS: 515 patients (133 males, 382 females) were surveyed. The average age was 34. Among those surveyed, 91.3% lived in Seoul, 96.5% were high school graduates and over, and about one third consisted of housewives. Most chose to go to hospitals for vaccination (47.8%), learned of available vaccines through mass media (32.4%), family and relatives (39%). The vaccination rate for hepatitis B was highest with 63.9%, whereas for Japanese encephalitis 36.9%, varicella 19.8%, rubella 16.9%, influenza 30.5%, hepatitis A 4.1%, typhoid 36.9%, tetanus 8.9%, and Korean hemorrhagic fever 4.9%. Overall, 95.5% considered vaccination to be safe and 76.7% thought it necessary to receive the required vaccines. Among questions relating to hepatitis B, influenza, and tetanus, most patients, in general, did not specifically know what was the purpose of the immunization, the type of vaccines being delivered, the follow up period of booster immunization, the coverage of protection from particular diseases, and their protection rate. CONCLUSIONS: Many vaccines are available today. With minimum costs, they are an effective way of prevention. Indications of each vaccine, and their safety, effectiveness and duration of protection must be considered to meet the individual needs. More emphasis to provide immunization to adults in primary care setting is necessary.