Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccination in Geriatric Population: Sociodemographic and Clinical Vaccine Adherence Outcomes in A University Outpatient Clinic in Tocantins

Abstract

Aims: The first confirmed case of SARS-CoV-2 in Brazil was registered in February 2020 in the State of São Paulo, and quickly spread throughout all 27 federative units in the country. Given the rapid global spread and high virus infectivity, with significant economic, humanitarian, and social impacts, it has become imperative to develop an efficient strategy to contain the spread of the disease. In this context, mass vaccination planning proved to be desirable and promising, aiming to reduce morbidity and mortality caused by the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and reduce hospitalizations resulting from the disease. Study Design: Descriptive quantitative cross-sectional epidemiological research with convenience sampling of patients treated at the geriatrics outpatient clinic of the University of Tocantins. Place and Duration of Study: Information was collected from 128 volunteer patients between August 2022 and July 2023. Methodology: Information was collected from 128 volunteer patients between August 2022 and July 2023. Results: Analyzing the distribution of cases and deaths by age group in Brazil, there was a higher incidence among adults, with 69.3% of deaths in people over 60 years of age, and 64% of these had at least one risk factor. Conclusion: Cases of pneumonia associated with COVID-19 were more likely to occur in older, male patients and with comorbidities, compared to milder cases. Following the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO), priority groups were established, including healthcare professionals due to high work exposure and elderly people due to their immunological vulnerability and prevalence of comorbidities.