Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Trends in Influenza Vaccination and Health Screening Among Korean Adults

초록

This study examined the effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on influenza vaccination and health screening trends in Korea. A total of 49 299 individuals aged >= 19 years who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2013-2015, 2016-2019, or 2020-2022 (the COVID-19 era) with available information on influenza vaccination, health screening, and cancer screening status were included. Multivariate regression models were used to compare the estimated prevalences of behaviors during these 3 phases. The COVID-19 pandemic arrested the increasing health screening trend and reversed the increasing cancer screening trend, whereas the influenza vaccination rate continuously increased, irrespective of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, subgroup analysis revealed: (1) that during the COVID-19 pandemic, no increasing trend in influenza vaccination was evident for older adults (>= 65 years old) or individuals with a lower socioeconomic status and (2) that even during COVID-19 pandemic, older adults and women were more actively screened. In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected influenza vaccination and health screening rates among Korean adults but affected specific populations differently.

키워드