Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.47960/2303-8616.2025.1.11.55

INFLUENZA VACCINATION IN THE HEALTH CENTER OF THE SPLIT-DALMATIA COUNTY IN VRGORAC

Darjan Franjić orcid.org/0000-0001-8189-9713 ; Faculty of Health Studies, University of Mostar, 88 000 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina *
Ivana Franjić ; Faculty of Health Studies, University of Mostar, 88 000 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Health Center of the Split-Dalmatia County, Vrgorac Branch, 21 276 Vrgorac, Republic of Croatia
Romana Barbarić ; Faculty of Health Studies, University of Mostar, 88 000 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Mario Babić ; Faculty of Health Studies, University of Mostar, 88 000 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Marina Ćurlin ; Faculty of Health Studies, University of Mostar, 88 000 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

Introduction: Adults over 65 years of age have the highest mortality rate from lower
respiratory tract infections caused by influenza. People who live with or care for patients in
risk groups, such as healthcare workers, should be vaccinated. Low influenza vaccination
rates among certain at-risk groups contribute to the burden of disease and remain a major
public health challenge. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a
significant impact on seasonal influenza.
Aim: Investigate the coverage of influenza vaccination among adults at the Health Center of
the Split-Dalmatia County in Vrgorac.
Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted. Data on influenza
vaccinations from January 01, 2019 to December 31, 2024 at the Health Center of the Split
Dalmatia County in Vrgorac were analyzed from the electronic immunization database. The
following variables were included in the analysis: vaccination coverage by year, subject
category (older than 65, chronically ill, healthcare worker, other), and subject gender.
Results: A total of 2090 doses of influenza vaccine for adults were consumed. The most
vaccine doses were consumed in 2020, 512 doses, and the fewest vaccine doses were
consumed in the last two years, 257 and 296, respectively (p<0.05). The largest number of
patients was over 65 years old, 1214, 833 were chronic patients, while 26 were healthcare
workers (p<0.05).
Conclusion: A statistically significantly lower consumption of vaccine doses was found
during and after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the time before the
pandemic. Healthcare workers were statistically significantly less vaccinated against influenza
compared to other groups.

Keywords

Influenza; human flu; vaccination; immunization; vaccines

Hrčak ID:

331574

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/331574

Publication date:

27.5.2025.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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