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BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death worldwide. Influenza and COVID infections are associated with an increase in the risk of CVD mortality and is a major reason for hospitalisation. This study examines the uptake of COVID and flu vaccines amongst patients, with a diagnosis of Heart Failure.

METHODS

A total of 141patients participated. Random selection was used to obtain data from a diverse cohort of patients. Data obtained was analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the analysis and description of the data set through the use of bivariate statistics.

RESULTS

Flu vaccine uptake was significantly higher than COVID (p < 0.001). Of the 141 participants, 53 received the flu vaccine but not the COVID vaccine, whereas only 2 received the COVID vaccine without receiving the flu vaccine. Logistic regression analysis indicated that age significantly influenced flu vaccine uptake (p = 0.011), with older individuals slightly less likely to receive it. Gender did not significantly affect flu vaccine uptake (p = 0.496).
For the COVID vaccine, logistic regression showed that neither age (p = 0.440) nor gender (p = 0.328) were significant predictors of uptake.

CONCLUSION

Despite the significantly lower uptake of the COVID vaccine, the ongoing incidence of COVID-19 underscores the continued importance of vaccination in reducing severe illness and transmission. Understanding these trends is crucial for improving public health strategies aimed at protecting CVD patients from immunisable illnesses.