The role of adult vaccination clinics in immunization of diabetic individuals-a multicenter study

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the role and importance of adult vaccination clinics in immunizing individuals with diabetes with the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13), influenza vaccine, hepatitis B vaccine, tetanus-diph-theria (Td) vaccine, and herpes zoster vaccine. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in 14 tertiary healthcare institutions with Family Medicine Clinics. The vaccination histories of individuals diagnosed with diabetes were reviewed, and information on PCV13, influenza, hepatitis B, Td, and herpes zoster vaccines was provided. Participants were informed about the adult vaccination clinic, if available at the institution, and followed up for one month to assess whether they received the recommended vaccines. Results: A total of 388 participants were included, with a median age of 60 years; 55.4% of the participants were female. Only 27.8% were aware of the existence of an adult vaccination clinic in their institution. Prior to the study, 43.3% had received Td, 42.3% had received influenza vaccine, 21.4% had received PCV13, and 13.1% had received hepatitis B vaccine; only one person had received the herpes zoster vaccine. Physician recommendation was the most influential factor for vaccination (88.9%), while the most common reason for vaccine refusal was distrust in vaccines (57.9%). At the end of the one-month follow-up, 20.6% of participants had received at least one of the recommended vaccines; PCV13 was the most commonly administered vaccine among those who received any. Among them, 93.8% had applied to institutions with an adult vaccination clinic (p=0.011). A statistically significant association was found between receiving the PCV13 vaccine and the presence of an adult vaccination clinic (p=0.002). In contrast, no such association was observed for Td, influenza, or hepatitis B vaccines (p>0.05). Conclusion: Vaccination rates among individuals with diabetes remain low. However, the presence of adult vaccination clinics and providing structured information significantly increase vaccine uptake. Strengthening these services could improve immunization coverage in this high-risk group.