Epidemiological characteristics associated with uptake of pneumococcal vaccine among older adults living in the community in Singapore: Results from the National Health Surveillance Survey 2013

Aims: In Singapore, pneumococcal vaccination is recommended for the elderly (i.e. those 65 years of age) and people with chronic medical conditions. We investigated epidemiological characteristics associated with the uptake of pneumococcal vaccine based on a nationally representative cross-sectional sample of community-living adults aged 50 years. Methods: The data were obtained from the National Health Surveillance Survey (NHSS) 2013. Associations between pneumococcal vaccination and sociodemographic and health-related variables were analysed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression models. Results: Among 3672 respondents aged 50 years in the NHSS, 7.8% had taken the pneumococcal vaccination. A higher level of education and higher monthly household income were sociodemographic characteristics independently associated with pneumococcal vaccine uptake. Health-related characteristics predictive of pneumococcal vaccine uptake were better self-rated health and having a regular family doctor/general practitioner. Among those who responded to the two questions on vaccinations, 3.9% had been vaccinated against both seasonal influenza and pneumococcal infection, while 11.1% had taken only seasonal influenza vaccination in the past year. Conclusions: There is a need to boost pneumococcal vaccination coverage among community-dwelling older adults. These findings provide insights into reviewing and tailoring public-health strategies and programmes to increase vaccine uptake in at-risk population groups.