The experience of traumatic events, psychological distress, and social support: links to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and trends with age in a group of older Australians
- Resource Type
- article
- Authors
- Maria Christou-Ergos; Kerrie E. Wiley; Julie Leask
- Source
- BMC Geriatrics, Vol 24, Iss 1, Pp 1-7 (2024)
- Subject
- Older adults
Australian survey
Vaccine hesitancy
COVID-19 vaccination
Traumatic life events
Social support
Geriatrics
RC952-954.6
- Language
- English
- ISSN
- 1471-2318
Abstract Background Vaccination is important to reduce disease-associated morbidity and mortality in an ageing global population. While older adults are more likely than younger adults to accept vaccines, some remain hesitant. We sought to understand how traumatic events, psychological distress and social support contribute to older adults’ intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and whether these experiences change with age. Methods We analysed survey data collected as part of the Sax Institute’s 45 and Up Study in a population of Australian adults aged 60 years and over. Data were derived from the COVID Insights study; a series of supplementary surveys about how participants experienced the COVID-19 pandemic. Results Higher intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine was associated with greater social support (adjusted odds ratio (aOR):1.08; 95%CI:1.06–1.11; p