Recent Vaccination Rates in Diabetic Patients

Introduction: This study aimed to determine vaccination rates, attitudes toward vaccination, and factors influencing influenza, pneumococcal, hepatitis B, and coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) vaccination among patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM) after the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: Vaccination rates for influenza, pneumococcus, hepatitis B, and COVID-19 among newly diagnosed patients with DM were analyzed using Stepwise Multivariate Logistic Regression models to identify influencing parameters. Results:The study included 442 (88.4%) patients with type 2 DM and 58 (11.6%) patients with type 1 DM.The median diabetes duration was 10 (5-19) years.Diabetes follow-up was conducted for 275 (55%) patients in Internal Medicine, 156 (31.2%) in endocrinology, and 46 (9.2%) in family medicine, with 23 (4.6%) patients having no regular follow-up.Vaccination rates were influenza 28.2%, pneumococcus 23.6%, hepatitis B 9.6%, and COVID-19 91.2%.Patients who were informed about vaccines had significantly higher vaccination rates (p<0.001).The distribution of information sources for COVID-19 and other vaccines differed significantly (p<0.001).Patients received more COVID-19 vaccine information from TV, Ministry of Health messages, and social media, while information about other vaccines was obtained mainly from the family medicine and internal medicine departments.Influenza vaccination rates were higher among older age groups, those with higher education levels, longer diabetes duration, and regular diabetes follow-up (p<0.05).Pneumococcus vaccination rates were higher among older age groups, those with longer diabetes duration, and those with regular diabetes follow-up (p<0.05).Hepatitis B vaccination rates were higher among those with higher education levels (p<0.05).No significant differences in COVID-19 vaccination rates were observed across the factors examined.Conclusion: Knowledge regarding vaccination necessity and actual vaccination rates among patients with diabetes is significantly low.Educating patients about vaccination is crucial.The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of vaccination for patients with diabetes.Although COVID-19 vaccination rates are expected to be higher due to the pandemic, utilizing Ministry of Health messages, TV, and social media to inform diabetic patients about influenza, pneumococcal, and hepatitis B vaccinations could enhance vaccination rates.It is essential for all patients with diabetes to be fully vaccinated against these infections, regardless of age.