Association of functional competencies with vaccination among older adults: a JAGES cross-sectional study

It is unknown whether higher functions in sublevels of competence other than instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) are associated with vaccinations. This study examined whether higher functions, including intellectual activity (IA) and social role (SR), were associated with vaccinations among 26,177 older adults. Older adults with incapable activities in IA and SR had increased risks for non-receipt of influenza vaccinations (IA: for one incapable task/activity: incident rate ratio (IRR) = 1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.02–1.09; SR: for two incapable tasks: IRR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.08–1.16). Those with incapable activities in IADL and IA had increased risks for non-receipt of pneumococcal vaccination (IADL: for two incapable tasks: IRR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.05–1.23; IA: for two incapable tasks: IRR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.08–1.12). Those with incapable activities in IADL, IA, and SR had increased risks for non-receipt of both of the two vaccinations (IADL: for two incapable tasks: IRR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.03–1.33; IA: for two incapable tasks: IRR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.11–1.25; SR: for two incapable tasks: IRR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.07–1.20). Having a family physician mitigated associations for non-receipt, regardless of competency. Our results suggest—maintaining the higher functions are important for older adults to undergo recommended vaccinations as scheduled; also, having a family physician to promote vaccinations is beneficial even for older adults with limited functions.