Learning from the outliers: A longitudinal ecological study of social and spatial inequalities in older adult influenza vaccination and hospitalisation (Cheshire and Merseyside, UK, 2018–19 to 2023–24) | Synapse
February 21, 2026Vaccine0 citationsOpen Access
Learning from the outliers: A longitudinal ecological study of social and spatial inequalities in older adult influenza vaccination and hospitalisation (Cheshire and Merseyside, UK, 2018–19 to 2023–24)
To explore social and spatial inequalities in influenza vaccination and hospitalization among older adults.
Conducted a longitudinal ecological study from 2018 to 2024 in Cheshire and Merseyside.
Analyzed vaccination rates and hospitalization records across different community demographics.
Identified outliers to understand unique patterns of health access and outcomes.
Vaccination uptake was significantly lower in disadvantaged communities.
Certain areas showed higher hospitalization rates despite lower vaccination rates.
Structural determinants of health were linked to observed inequalities.
Abstract
Reducing influenza harms will require both boosting vaccination uptake in disadvantaged communities and addressing the wider structural determinants of health.