AUTHOR=Moosa Aminath S. , Wee Yi M. S. , Jaw Meng H. , Tan Qifan F. , Tse Wan L. D. , Loke Chui Y. , Ee Guan L. A. , Ng Chee C. D. , Aau Wai K. , Koh Yi L. E. , Tan Ngiap C. 

TITLE=A multidisciplinary effort to increase COVID-19 vaccination among the older adults

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 10 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.904161

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2022.904161

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=Background: COVID-19 vaccination significantly reduces the risk of infection and its associated morbidity and mortality. However, poor uptake of the COVID-19 vaccination was reported among the high-risk group of older people amidst emerging variants of concern. This community case study reports an outreach program in Singapore, COVE (Covid Vaccination for the Elderly) initiated by healthcare workers in a cluster of primary care clinics. They assessed the vaccine hesitancy among these older persons, addressed their concerns and facilitated their vaccination appointment during a brief phone conversation.

Method: 21,663 unvaccinated adults aged >60 years were contacted by  healthcare workers volunteers over two phases from June  to October 2021. In phase I, they contacted adults aged above 70 years over 2 weeks. Adults who were uncontactable in phase I and those aged 60-69 years were sent SMS in phase II. Data were analyzed via descriptive data analysis.

Results: After phase 1, 65.5% (n=5,646/8,617) of older adults had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The respondents expressed intention to vaccinate (39%, n=3390), requested to seek further information (25%, n=2138), reported access barrier (8%, n=715), or were concerned of the vaccine adverse effects (3%, n=288). Vaccination was refused by 24% (n=2086) of the respondents. Eventually 60.4% (n=13,082/21,663) of them were vaccinated three months after COVE implementation.

Conclusion: The COVE program increased the COVID-19 vaccination uptake of older adults from 84.6% to 96.3%. A person-centric proactive approach by healthcare workers to address vaccine hesitancy and schedule vaccination appointments is key in promoting vaccination uptake among the older adults