Jul 2026· Turkish Journal of Nephrology· Vol 35, pp. 244-251· 0 citations
TL;DR
Vaccination rates—particularly for pneumococcal disease—were higher than those reported in previous studies, potentially due to increased post-pandemic health awareness and active recommendations by healthcare professionals.
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to evaluate the vaccination rates, knowledge levels, and the influence of demographic, socioeconomic, and health perception factors on the uptake of influenza, pneumococcal, hepatitis B, and COVID-19 vaccines among patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD).
Methods: Between February and March 2024, a structured questionnaire was administered to 224 patients from 3 HD centers (3 private, 1 public) in Istanbul. The survey collected data on demographic characteristics, vaccination status, attitudes toward vaccines, and sources of vaccine-related information. Data were analyzed using SPSS, version 22.0.
Results: The vaccination rates were 77.2% for influenza, 56.1% for pneumococci, 85.7% for COVID-19, and 90.5% for hepatitis B. However, only 32.6% of participants had received all 4 recommended vaccines. Vaccination status was significantly associated with age, gender, education level, marital status, type of health insurance, and dialysis duration. The most commonly cited reasons for non-vaccination were “not perceiving vaccination as necessary” and “lack of adequate information.” Nephrologists were identified as the most trusted source of vaccine information by 95.5% of participants.
Conclusion: Vaccination rates—particularly for pneumococcal disease—were higher than those reported in previous studies, potentially due to increased post-pandemic health awareness and active recommendations by healthcare professionals. Enhancing vaccine uptake in the HD population requires a comprehensive approach that addresses not only informational barriers but also perceived risk, healthcare access, and social support. These findings underscore the need for targeted educational efforts and policy-level strategies to improve vaccination coverage in this high-risk group.
Cite this article as: Şaşak G, İkiışık H, Ergen P, Bakan A, Ecder SA, Maral I. Vaccination status, knowledge levels, and influencing factors among hemodialysis patients: A study from Istanbul. Turk J Nephrol. 2026;35(3):244-251.
Vaccination rates remain low despite the influenza vaccine's proven safety and efficacy in protecting vulnerable groups, such as individuals diagnosed with liver disease. This cross-sectional study investigated influenza vaccination coverage, attitudes, beliefs, and influencing factors among 152 patients with liver disease in Greece. Over half (53.6%) were diagnosed with hepatitis, and 40.4% with cirrhosis. Overall, 58.6% of participants received the seasonal influenza vaccine. Multivariate logistic regression showed that older age (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.02-1.11, p = .002), prior pneumococcal vaccination (OR = 17.98, 95% CI: 6.66-48.52, p < .001), and COVID-19 vaccination (OR = 5.77, 95% CI: 1.17-28.46, p = .031) were significantly associated with influenza vaccination in the current season. Similarly, older age (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.04-1.14, p < .001) and pneumococcal vaccination (OR = 25.75, 95% CI: 9.20-72.05, p < .001) were linked to annual influenza vaccination. About half of the participants are vaccinated yearly. These findings highlight the need for targeted public health strategies to improve vaccination rates among patients with liver disease. Gastroenterology healthcare professionals, as trusted information sources, can play a key role in promoting vaccine uptake and improving immunization coverage in this high-risk population.
Paschalina Dafnou, T. Adamakidou, N. Margari et al.· Gastroenterology Nursing· 0 citations
Positive attitudes toward non-routine childhood vaccines among healthcare workers do not necessarily translate into consistent recommendation behaviors across all vaccine types, including rotavirus, meningococcal, human papillomavirus (HPV) and influenza vaccines.
Asiye Burcu Kuş, A. Barutçu, Sena Kara Öncü· Vaccines· 0 citations
Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the factors associated with vaccine hesitancy and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination among medical students at the Faculty of Medicine, Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered online questionnaire developed based on Lucia et al. The questionnaire included sections on demographic characteristics, perceptions and attitudes toward COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination, experience with COVID-19 infection, and vaccination behavior. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with vaccine hesitancy with the significant level of p < 0.05.Results: A total of 298 medical students participated in the survey, a response rate of 54.3%. Among the participants, 57.7% were male, 77.9% were in the preclinic, and 60.7% had a Grade Point Average classified as very good. Most ofthe participants (81.5%) reported to take the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as Food and Drug Administration approved is available. Almost all the participants would recommend the COVID-19 vaccine to family and friends (98.7%), to their patients (96.6%), and to the communities (98.3%). The vaccine acceptance group is significantly associated with the participants views that the COVID-19 vaccination is important for them as a healthcare provider (adjust odd ratio (OR) = 10.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09-107.08, p-value = 0.042*) and the trust of information related to COVID-19 vaccine from public health experts (adjust OR = 2.58, 95% CI 1.23-5.20, p-value = 0.009*) However, the serious side effects of the vaccine is significantly associated with the vaccine hesitancy (adjust OR = 0.31, 95% CI 0.14-0.69, p-value = 0.004*).Conclusion: Medical students exhibited a positive attitude toward the COVID-19 vaccine. However, the serious effects of the vaccine also associated with the vaccine hesitancy. Medical schools could emphasis vaccine-related education, focusing on the safety and potential consequences of vaccines to ensure students are confident in addressing vaccine-related issues.
Warrissara Punthong, Basmon Manomaipiboon· Journal of Medicine and Urba...· 0 citations
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine. In Nigeria, adult vaccination coverage and completion rates are not well characterized within hospital-based populations. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,200 adults attending Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Data on socio-demographics, HBV-related knowledge, attitudes, perceived barriers, vaccination uptake, and completion were collected using a structured questionnaire. Knowledge and attitude scores were categorized into poor, fair, and good levels. Associations between socio-demographic characteristics and vaccination uptake were examined using chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. The mean age of respondents was predominantly 36–40 years (32.5%), with males constituting 72.3%. Most respondents had tertiary education (91.8%) and were civil servants (83.4%). Overall awareness of HBV was high (95.5%), with a mean knowledge score of 12.37 ± 1.42. Good knowledge was observed in 74.2% of respondents, while 57.2% demonstrated good attitudes toward HBV prevention. Vaccination uptake was high, with 93.5% reporting receipt of at least one vaccine dose. However, only 22.3% had completed the recommended three-dose schedule, while 48.2% and 23.1% had received one and two doses, respectively. Willingness to complete vaccination was reported by 81.6% of respondents. Perceived barriers included high vaccine cost (72.4%), inadequate access to health facilities (96.9%), fear of side effects (71.9%), and insufficient information (73.5%). No significant associations were found between socio-demographic variables and vaccination uptake (p > 0.05 for all). Despite high HBV vaccination initiation and knowledge levels, substantial gaps in vaccine completion persist. Addressing financial, informational, and access-related barriers is essential to improve full vaccination coverage among Nigerian adults.
S. Aremu, A. Akyala, Y. B. Ngwai et al.· Tropical Diseases, Travel Me...· 0 citations
Investigation of parents' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding childhood influenza vaccination in Jiangsu showed moderate knowledge and positive attitudes but low actual vaccination rates, suggesting targeted interventions are needed to reduce the cognition-practice gap and improve childhood influenza vaccination coverage.
Zhaohan Wei, Xiaolei Feng, Qin Sun et al.· Vaccine· 0 citations
Background/aim: Vaccines reduce morbidity and mortality caused by infectious diseases that threaten public health. Lifelong immunization programs are essential for the entire population. This study assessed adult vaccination uptake for influenza, pneumococcal, and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines in Türkiye and examined the barriers and factors influencing vaccination decisions.
Materials and methods: This cross-sectional survey was designed and conducted by the Immunization Working Group of the Turkish Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. A 19-item questionnaire was administered to individuals aged 18 years or older to assess influenza, pneumococcal, and COVID-19 vaccination status. The questionnaire collected data on demographic characteristics, healthcare worker (HCW) status, chronic diseases, vaccination history, vaccine preferences, and reasons for nonvaccination.
Results: The influenza vaccination rate among all participants was 28%, with the highest rate observed among participants aged ≥65 years (49%). Multivariate analysis revealed that age ≥65 years, HCW status, and the presence of a chronic disease were independently associated with influenza vaccination (p < 0.001). Pneumococcal vaccination rates were higher among individuals with chronic diseases and those aged ≥65 years (p < 0.01). Among chronic diseases, the highest vaccination rate was observed in participants with coronary artery disease. The COVID-19 vaccination rate was 95%. The most common reasons for nonvaccination were the perception that influenza (39%) and pneumococcal (21%) vaccination was unnecessary, whereas unwillingness to be vaccinated (44%) and concerns about side effects (32%) predominated for COVID-19 vaccination.
Conclusions: Vaccination coverage remains low in Türkiye, even among high-risk groups. Although vaccination rates increased during the pandemic, greater public awareness and educational efforts are still needed.
Gamze Şanlıdağ İşbilen, S. Gençer, H. Pullukçu et al.· Turkish Journal of Medical S...· 0 citations
