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ABSTRACT
Objective: This study aimed to determine the vaccination rates and the levels of awareness on pneumococcal, influenza, tetanus and hepatitis B vaccination among patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Material and Methods: The study was performed on patients with DM who presented to the outpatient Clinic of Internal Disease at Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kırdar City Hospital. Patients were asked to fill out a questionnaire regarding their vaccination status, attitude, and awareness about vaccines. Results: A total of 293 patients [121 (41.3%) males and 172 (58.7%) females] with a mean age of 65 years were included in the study. The mean duration of diabetes was 15 years. Overall, 47.8% of patients reported awareness about the need for vaccination while the rate of being unvaccinated was 52.2%. Reasons for the lack of vaccination were as follows: 67.3% of patients were unaware of the reason for not receiving vaccines; 17.5% patients did not want to be vaccinated; 13.3% patients reported that their physicians did not recommend vaccination; 1.5% reported unavailability of vaccines, and 0.4% reported negligence. Among vaccinated cases, 34.1% were vaccinated against flu; 20.8% against tetanus; 9.9% against pneumonia; 7.8% against hepatitis; and 5.1% received vaccination for other diseases. Conclusion: The levels of vaccine awareness and vaccination rates are low among diabetic patients. It is essential to raise vaccination awareness among this patient population. The health authorities and departments need to develop effective strategies to increase vaccination rates across the country.