Determinants of Flu Vaccine Uptake in Older Adults

Abstract

Background: Seasonal influenza poses severe health risks to vulnerable populations, yet vaccine coverage rates among older adults remain substandard globally due to various socio-demographic, systemic, and behavioral barriers. Objective: This study evaluated the influenza vaccine uptake among older adults in Marikina City for the year 2025 and examined the factors influencing their vaccination behavior. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional, descriptive-correlational design was conducted in Marikina City involving 405 adults aged over 60 selected via snowball sampling. Data were collected using an expert-validated researcher-made survey questionnaire tool. Data analysis utilized descriptive statistics, Chi-square testing, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and Multivariate Logistic Regression. Ethical approval was granted by the administrative entities involved and strict compliance of confidentiality of every respondent’s participation. Results: Vaccine uptake was 57.5%, with likely associations identified between knowledge versus socioeconomic status, educational attainment, and civil status; source of health information versus educational attainment; and flu vaccine uptake versus knowledge and educational attainment. Conclusion: Educational attainment and knowledge significantly drive flu vaccine uptake, highlighting the need for targeted, educational community-based public health interventions to enhance immunization coverage.

Keywords: older adults; determinants; influenza; vaccine uptake; Marikina City