Electronic reminders improve flu vaccination rates among non-diabetics, but diabetic patients remain unresponsive. Tailored approaches, including integration into diabetes care, could offer a more effective solution for this vulnerable group. Study: ‘Electronic Nudges to Increase Influenza Vaccination in Patients With Chronic Diseases.
’ Image Credit: Shutterstock AI / Shutterstock.com A recent study published in JAMA Network Open explores whether diabetic patients who were reminded through electronic messaging to get vaccinated against the flu had a higher uptake than patients without diabetes. How does diabetes affect flu severity? Patients with diabetes who are infected with the flu are at a greater risk of developing severe complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections, and ear infections.
Therefore, annual flu vaccines are strongly recommended in this patient population, as vaccination has been shown to reduce the risk of death from all causes, particularly in patients with diabetes. Despite these benefits, up to 33% of diabetic patients do not receive yearly flu shots. Some of the different reasons for this reduced uptake may include cognitive impairment, decline in functional level, previous bad experiences with the vaccine, accessibility issues, hesitancy linked to their medical condition, or vaccine hesitancy.
About the study The current study was a secondary analysis of the Danish Nationwide Utilization of the Danish Government Electronic Letter S.
