Determinants of compliance to influenza and COVID-19 vaccination in a cohort of solid organ transplant patients in Puglia, Southern Italy (2017-2022).
Pasquale Stefanizzi, Francesco Paolo Bianchi, Lorenza Moscara, Andrea Martinelli, Antonio Di Lorenzo, Loreto Gesualdo, Simona Simone, Maria Rendina, Silvio Tafuri
Author Information
Pasquale Stefanizzi: Hygiene Unit - Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.
Francesco Paolo Bianchi: Hygiene Unit - Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.
Lorenza Moscara: Hygiene Unit - Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.
Andrea Martinelli: Hygiene Unit - Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.
Antonio Di Lorenzo: Hygiene Unit - Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.
Loreto Gesualdo: Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.
Simona Simone: Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.
Maria Rendina: Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
Silvio Tafuri: Hygiene Unit - Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy. ORCID
Influenza and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination are recommended in both solid organ transplant (SOT) candidates and recipients. In Puglia, Southern Italy, an active vaccination offer program has been activated targeting these patients. This study aims at investigating vaccination coverage (VC) for both vaccines in a SOT patients' cohort, as well as at identifying the vaccination compliance determinant. This is a retrospective, population-based study. The study population consists of the SOT patients who accessed Bari's "Policlinico" General Hospital during 2017-2022. Patients were contacted and, after providing their consent, asked their immunization status regarding influenza and COVID-19 and whether they had already undergone transplant or were waiting to do so. Regression models were fitted to investigate the determinants of VCs for influenza vaccination (2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons) and for COVID-19 vaccination (three-dose base cycle, first and second booster doses). Three-hundred and ten SOT patients were identified; 85.2% (264/310) had already undergone SOT. VCs were suboptimal, especially for constant yearly influenza vaccination (17.7%) and COVID-19 vaccination's second booster (1.94%). Logistic regression highlighted that influenza VCs are higher for SOT recipients than SOT candidates, as well as for older patients, although when considering both vaccination seasons only age significantly impact the vaccination uptake. Older age was the only influential variable for COVID-19 VC. VCs for SOT patients seem to be unsatisfying. Stronger interventions are required.
