YEREVAN, Armenia — The American University of Armenia (AUA) Gerald and Patricia Turpanjian College of Health Sciences is pleased to announce a new publication by Diana Muradyan (MPH ’20), M.D., Ph.D.; Adena Alahverdian (MPH ’22), B.S.; and Anya Agopian, Ph.D., MPH, in BMC Geriatrics, a peer-reviewed open-access scientific journal with an impact factor of 3.8 and a Q1 ranking, which publishes research on a wide range of topics related to older populations, including diseases and health conditions common in later life, healthcare services and systems for older adults, and the impact of health policies on aging populations.
The article, titled “Seasonal influenza vaccination uptake among older adults in Yerevan, Armenia,” explores the factors influencing the uptake of seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) among older adults in Armenia.
The study found that most participants generally had sufficient knowledge about seasonal influenza and SIV, regardless of vaccination status. However, common reasons for not getting vaccinated included lack of trust in the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness, low perceived severity of influenza, belief in their personal “strong immunity,” insufficient or conflicting information, concerns about infection after vaccination, and fear of allergic reactions.
Vaccinated participants mainly reported receiving the vaccine to protect themselves from influenza and its complications, prevent worsening of chronic conditions, and avoid burdening their families. Both vaccinated and unvaccinated participants expressed high trust in physicians, yet most said their doctors had not actively recommended influenza vaccination. Participants also noted the limited public awareness of SIV and recommended strengthening outreach through SMS reminders, TV campaigns, and physician recommendations to improve awareness and uptake. Although knowledge of seasonal influenza was generally adequate, many unvaccinated older adults held misguided beliefs about the vaccine and their own immunity.
These findings emphasize the need for improved communication strategies to increase vaccination uptake. Public health efforts should focus on media campaigns and training physicians to actively recommend vaccination, particularly to adults aged 65 and older who are at higher risk.
The AUA Gerald and Patricia Turpanjian College of Health Sciences works actively to improve population health and health services in Armenia and the region through interdisciplinary education and development of health professionals to be leaders in public health, nursing, health services research and evaluation, and health care delivery and management.