Does sex influence immunization status for influenza and pneumonia in older veterans?
OBJECTIVE
To compare the prevalence of influenza and pneumococcal immunization rates according to sex in a national sample of older veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system.


METHODS
Retrospective, cross-sectional.


METHODS
VA healthcare system.


METHODS
Current VA healthcare system users aged 65 and older eligible for immunization in fiscal years 2001 to 2003 (N=48,424 patient records).


METHODS
Generalized estimating equations were performed to analyze combined chart review and administrative data to determine effect of sex on receipt of influenza and pneumococcal immunizations.


RESULTS
Unadjusted immunization rates were higher for men than women for influenza (73% vs 69%) and pneumococcal (87% vs 83%) vaccine. Adjusting for demographics, clinical comorbidities, use, and region, women had significantly lower odds of influenza (odds ratio (OR)=0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI=0.79-0.92) and pneumococcal (OR=0.77, 95% CI=0.71-0.84) immunization.


CONCLUSIONS
Older female veterans have lower rates of immunization than older male veterans in VA settings. Although VA remains above community levels for immunization, older female veterans will benefit from targeted efforts to increase immunization prevalence.
Bean-Mayberry
Bevanne
B
Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Health Services Research and Development Center of Excellence, Center for Study of Health Care Provider Behavior, Sepulveda, California, USA. bevanne.bean-mayberry@va.gov
Yano
Elizabeth M
EM
Mor
Maria K
MK
Bayliss
Nichole K
NK
Xu
Xiangyan
X
Fine
Michael J
MJ
D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014728:Veterans
D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines