@article {BalzanP1889, author = {Martin Balzan and Rachelle Assciak and Justine Camilleri and Liam Mercieca and Christopher Sammit and Jesmar Buttigieg and Gabriella Balzan}, title = {Influenza vaccination in chronic asthma patients. Are more severely ill patients more likely to seek vaccination?}, volume = {42}, number = {Suppl 57}, elocation-id = {P1889}, year = {2013}, publisher = {European Respiratory Society}, abstract = {Introduction: Guidelines for asthma advise annual influenza vaccination.Aims: To re-assess vaccination rates and attitudes amongst out-patients in hospital clinic for chronic asthmaMethod: A questionnaire to patients interviewed in 2011/2 was carried out in 2012/3Results : Out 146 patients interviewed in 2011/2, 109 patients(78 Female, mean age 53.6, SD 18.0) responded. Vaccination rate was 63.3\%, (F70.\%. M 45.2\%) compared to 54.8\% in previous year. 9 (8.3\%) patients did not revaccinate while 28.4\% did not for either year. 102/109(93.5\% reported previous vaccination) and 78(71.6\%) vaccinated in at least one year in the last 2. Reasons for newly vaccinated patients(n=18) were doctor{\textquoteright}s advice 18 (100\%), to protect self 5 (27.8\%), to protect family 1 (5.6\%), to prevent asthma exacerbations 4(22.2\%). For 51 Revaccinated patients 66.7, 39.2, 13.7, 47.1\% respectively. Patients vaccinated in 2011/2012 had 0.58 coarses of steroid/patient/year, and 7.3 visits of nebulizer/patient/year while non vaccinated needed 0.18/pt/yr, and 0.65/pt/yr respectively. 13 of 51(25.5\%) re-vaccinated patients, and 20/78 (25.6\%) of patients vaccinated over two years did so despite reporting previous side effects. Of 31 not vaccinated in either year 22 (71.0\%) said this was for fear of side effects. Those Vaccinated in 2011/2(n= 60), 20(33.3\%) used beta agonist daily, 14 (23.3\%)2-4 times per week, and 26(43.3\%) never. For non vaccinated patients in 2011/2 data was 16.3\%, 26.5\%, 57.12\%, respectively.Conclusion. Re-vaccinated patients gave much more weight to preventing severe asthma attacks and more severely affected patients are likely to vaccinate even in the light of past side effects.}, issn = {0903-1936}, URL = {https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P1889}, eprint = {https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P1889.full.pdf}, journal = {European Respiratory Journal} }