Influenza vaccine uptake and associated factors in adult patients with type 2 diabetes in a general outpatient clinic in Hong Kong

Background and objectiveThis study examined the uptake of influenza vaccine (Vaxigrip Tetra, Sanofi-Aventis) among local patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and their intention to receive future flu vaccines. We also explored associations between factors pertinent to the Health Belief Model (HBM) and vaccination behaviour. Based on these findings, targeted strategies to improve flu vaccine uptake are proposed.MethodsIn all, 499 patients with diabetes were recruited from a government general outpatient clinic (GOPC) in Hong Kong between 1 and 14 March 2021. A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study to investigate vaccination behaviours and the HBM was conducted. A self-reported questionnaire that included sociodemographic data of participants' and patients' knowledge and perceptions related to flu vaccines based on the HBM framework was used. Study subjects aged <18 years and those who were unable to provide consent or had contraindications to flu vaccine were excluded from the study.ResultsAmong the study sample, the reported flu vaccine uptake rate was 42% during 2020. Results from multivariate logistic analyses revealed a positive correlation between the likelihood of vaccination and factors pertinent to the HBM, such as knowledge that flu vaccine is required annually, not considering side effects from flu vaccine uptake and having better access to flu vaccine.DiscussionThe rate of flu vaccine uptake in our study population was suboptimal. Given the significance of influenza among patients with T2D, various public health interventions should be used to promote annual flu vaccine uptake.