COVID-19 Vaccination Rates in Patients With Chronic Medical Conditions: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study.
Eliel NhamYoung-Eun KimJeong-Soo ImDong-Wook KimHoyeon JangHak Jun HyunHye SeongJin Gu YoonJi Yun NohJoon Young SongWoo-Joo KimHee Jin CheongPublished in: Journal of Korean medical science (2022)
As most individuals acquire immunity to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, South Korea declared a return to normalcy a few months ago. However, epidemic waves continue because of endlessly emerging variants and waning immunity. Health authorities are focusing on those at high risk of severe coronavirus disease 2019 to minimize damage to public health and the economy. In this regard, we investigated the vaccination rates in patients with various chronic medical conditions by examining the national health insurance claims data and the national immunization registry. We found that patients with chronic medical conditions, especially those of higher severity, such as malignancy, had vaccination rates approximately 10-20% lower than those of the general population. Public health authorities and healthcare providers should try to vaccinate these patients to avoid preventable morbidity and mortality.
Keyphrases
- public health
- coronavirus disease
- healthcare
- health insurance
- respiratory syndrome coronavirus
- sars cov
- affordable care act
- end stage renal disease
- quality improvement
- newly diagnosed
- ejection fraction
- global health
- chronic kidney disease
- prognostic factors
- oxidative stress
- mental health
- early onset
- high resolution
- deep learning
- climate change
- health information
- data analysis
- patient reported outcomes
- social media