Mumbai, Aug 24 (Bureau) A recent survey by The Association of Physicians of India (API) and Ipsos, among adults aged 50 years and older in 16 cities, their caregivers and doctors has revealed that although 71 per cent of adults aged above 50 years are aware of adult vaccination, only 16 per cent have taken any adult vaccines. A majority of doctors surveyed (90 per cent stated that a lack of formal guidelines results in a lack of interest and adoption of vaccination by patients, a press release said here on Thursday. In Mumbai, 73 per cent of adults aged 50 or older are aware of adult vaccination, but only 11 per cent of them have taken any adult vaccines.
If advised to get vaccinated, a significant number of adults aged 50 or older (50 per cent) and their caregivers (20 per cent) would trust their doctor’s word, the findings showed. Doctors in Mumbai have recommended adult vaccines to only nine per cent of ageing adults and only to those who ask for them. More than half (53 per cent) of adults above the age of 50 say they will check with family or friends before taking an adult vaccine despite doctor’s recommendation. Doctors from the West zone have expressed concerns about the lack of patient receptivity towards adult vaccination, affordability of adult vaccines and lack of the information about adult vaccination available, the release added. Dr Agam Vora, secretary, API, said, “Measures need to be taken to increase the confidence of doctors in recommending vaccination for adults aged 50 years or older.”