SENIOR CITIZENS’ EXPERIENCES BEFORE AND AFTER RECEIVING THE

COVID-19 BOOSTER VACCINE: A PHENOMENOLOGY

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A Research Proposal Presented to the Nursing Program Faculty

Pilar College of Zamboanga City, Inc.
Zamboanga City

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In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the

Bachelor of Nursing

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ALHADZRA J. ALIH

CYRILL C. CANAPI

RADWAN W. JAJALIS

RHEGENE JOY C. ALLAYON

RYAN A. RAMOS

December 2022
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

CHAPTER

1 INTRODUCTION

Purpose of the Study 3

Research Questions 4

Theoretical Lens 5

Scope and Limitations 5

Importance of the Study 6

Definition of Terms 7

Organization of the Study 8

2 REVIEWS OF RELATED LITERATURE

3 METHODOLOGIES

Research Design 20

Research Participants 21

Role of the Researcher 22

Data Sources 23

Data Collection Procedure 24

Data Analysis 26

Trustworthiness of the Study 27

Ethical Considerations 29

REFERENCES
 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a public health and societal disaster of epic
proportions. The impact has been particularly severe in older adults, who are more
likely to be severely affected by COVID and account for an alarmingly high proportion of
COVID deaths. The widespread use of COVID-19 vaccines is now regarded as the most
effective preventive strategy for the elderly (Mattiuzzi & Lippi, 2022). Additional vaccine
doses or boosters are recommended due to concern that the effectiveness of the vaccine
decreases over time and may not protect against a new variant. Everyone, including the
elderly, is encouraged to receive booster shots to help restore protection that has
decreased since their previous vaccination and provide better protection against newer
variants. As health problems become more common with age, early detection can
prevent or postpone the physical, social, and emotional effects that these changes have
on a senior's life. Psychosocial is concerned with personality or ego development and the
accompanying challenges associated with various life stages. How mental processes,
emotions, attitudes, motivation, and personality influence adaptation to physical and
social demands are central issues.

In the United States, some of the older adults who received the first two doses of
the vaccine stopped updating their immunity after the first recommended booster.
Because they claim to have little contact with people and haven't gotten around to
making it. They see no particular need (Span ,2022). Although Americans over the age
of 65 remain the demographic most likely to have received the initial series of
vaccinations, their interest in keeping their vaccinations up to date is steadily declining
(Span, 2022). As of November 24, 2022, nearly 94 percent of adults 65 and older were
fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (Elflein, 2022). In addition, based on the most recent
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data cited by Span (2022),
approximately 71 percent of older adults have received the first recommended booster,
but only approximately 44 percent have received the second. According to Sosin (2022),
as cited by Span (2022), most older people were vaccinated without hesitation or
opposition, but when it comes to boosters, they're not very motivated and haven't been
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given a reason to be. On the other hand, people aged 60 years and older who received a
full booster reported that the most common adverse events (AEs) after a COVID-19
booster were mild, including pain at the injection site, fatigue, and malaise. (Lopez,
2022).

In the national context, the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH)

announced that the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)
has the lowest Covid-19 vaccination coverage of the elderly in the country (Parrocha,
2022). As stated by Cabotaje, it’s not because of vaccine hesitancy. Some refuse to get
vaccinated because they say they will die anyway. They do not understand that if they
get sick, their family members will also be affected (Cabico, 2022). The Department of
Health (DOH) has intensified its effort to persuade the population, particularly senior
citizens, to comply with the second booster vaccine. Various line agencies, institutions,
and organizations, also help in the administering of a second booster shot particularly to
the elderly, in order to help the government in implementing the vaccination program.
Based on the data reported by the Department of Health on September 11 2022, 78.2%
of the elderly population were vaccinated with the last dose of the primary series. The
vaccination coverage of the first booster dose for the elderly population is 28.8%, and
5.7% received the second booster shot.

In Zamboanga City, based on the researchers’ observation most of the senior

citizens are now aware of the importance of taking the second booster shots, and most of
them are going to different vaccination sites to avail the said program. The Local
Government Unit, through the City Health Office, has set up various vaccination sites
for booster shots. Incentives are given to those who wish to avail in order to encourage
others to do the same.

There were several studies conducted on how to care for the elderly, especially in
nursing homes, the proper medication is given to a particular disease so that they may
regain their health. On the other hand, our study will deal more with the experiences of
senior citizens before and after receiving the covid-19 booster vaccine, which is different
from other studies. We will interview those senior citizens who could be communicated
with and are able to understand and comprehend the questions so as to answer
questions.

In the light of the study, will further give information to the public on how senior
citizens experience and cope with the completion of the covid 19 booster shot and be
able to share their insights with others regarding the experiences they have undergone.

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe the lived experiences

faced by senior citizens before and after receiving the COVID-19 booster vaccine.
Furthermore, this study identifies how senior citizens cope with the challenges and what
suggestions can be offered to other senior citizens in taking the COVID-19 vaccine.
Engaged insights of senior citizens who were able to obtain two doses of COVID-19
booster shots provided to other senior citizens who were unable to obtain the booster
shots.

Research Questions

1. What are the lived experiences of Senior citizens before and after receiving the
Covid-19 booster shot?

2. How do senior citizens cope with the challenges in terms of their physical and
emotional conditions before and after receiving the Covid-19 booster shot?

3. What insights can senior citizens share with others who were not able to receive
COVID-19 booster shots?

Theoretical Lens

This study is anchored on the concepts of Lawton’s (1982) person-environment-

fit theory introduced functional competence in relationship to the environment as a
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central theme. This means functional competence is affected by multiple intrapersonal

conditions such as ego strength, motor skills, biological health, cognitive capacity, and
sensory-perceptual capacity as well as external conditions posed by the environment.
The degree of competency may change as one ages, affecting functional ability in
relationship to environmental demands. Persons’ ability to meet these demands is
affected by their level of function and influences their ability to adapt to the
environment.

A person-environment-fit theory is our primary theoretical lens. The elderly have

now received the full dose of the COVID-19 vaccine from the local government to protect
them from the infectious variant; thus, a new environment is expected to surround the
virus, lowering the risk and adapting their bodies to the new environment.

Erikson’s theory focuses on individual development. According to Erikson (1963),

personality develops in eight sequential stages that have a corresponding life task that
one may succeed at or fail to accomplish. Older adults experience the developmental
stage known as “ego integrity versus despair.” In later years, Erikson and colleagues
expanded upon his original description of integrity versus despair, noting that older
adults struggle with letting go, accepting the care of others, detaching from life, and
physical and mental decline (Erikson, & Kivnick, 1986).

In our study the term "integrity" refers to senior citizens who have already
received the full dose of vaccine. They take precautions to avoid contracting the virus.
On the other hand, “despair” refers to the elderly who refuse to receive a full vaccine
because they believe they are already old and will leave this world soon.

Jung's Theory of Individualism, which states that our personality develops over a
lifetime and is composed of an ego or self-identity that has a personal and collective
unconsciousness. Personal unconsciousness is the private feelings and perceptions
surrounding important persons or life events. The collective unconscious is shared by all
persons. It contains latent memories about human origin. The collective unconscious is
the foundation of personality on which the personal unconsciousness and ego are built.
Jung's theory says that people tend to view life through either their own "lens"
(introverts) or the lens of others (extroverts).
 Some elderly people have a personal unconsciousness that they are already
protected because they have received the primary series of the COVID 19 vaccine. Only
when they receive positive feedback from others about the effectiveness of the COVID 19
booster vaccine are they encouraged to take it, a phenomenon known as the collective
unconsciousness. Other people can influence older adults' attitudes toward getting the
booster shot. Family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors all have an impact on older
adults’ health decisions and behavior.

Scope and Limitation

This study explores the lived experiences of Senior Citizens who have already
complied with taking the Covid-19 booster shot. The researchers will select 12 senior
citizens who are residents of Tumaga, Zamboanga City and have retired from the
government and non-government agencies, and still are actively working in the
community, and have completed their second booster.

The study will not involve those who did not comply in taking the COVID-19
booster vaccine.

Importance of the study

To contribute to the community and the goal of the research, the product of the
study will be beneficial to the following entities:

For the Senior Citizens, the study will help them to uncover potential problems
in the state of the epidemic outbreak that many researchers were not able to explore.
Moreover, senior citizens could develop their trust and knowledge that can address
those senior citizens still hesitant to receive the booster. Thus, a new theory on booster
vaccines may be arrived at.
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The research result can discover its significance for Barangay Officials if they
integrate the outcome in enhancing their senior citizens’ workers through being guided
and advocating on what should be emphasized by members of barangay officials and
community health nurses in Barangay Tumaga Health Center to enhance their
protection from the COVID-19.

Barangay Health Emergency Response Team (BHERT) are optimally

placed to support older people to help implement local prevention and mitigation,
preparedness and response measures for COVID-19, whilst being inclusive of older
peoples' sense of collective responsibility.

The Community Health Office (CHO) will understand the experiences of the
completion to active workers elderly after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine completion,
which will build up more knowledge on how to handle other senior citizens to convince
them to receive the COVID-19 vaccine completely.

Future Researchers will explore more on the lived experiences of Senior

Citizens who have already taken the Covid-19 booster shot. Based on the physical and
mental health conditions of senior citizens after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, which
may aid in determining the mental state and opinion of the elderly.

Definition of Terms:

To have a better understanding of the terms used in this study the following are
operationally and conceptually defined.

Booster Vaccine – an additional dose or doses of a vaccine given after the

protection provided by the original shot(s) has begun to decrease over time (Kelen, L. &
Maragakis, GD., 2022).
 Coping mechanism - Conscious or unconscious choice-based adaptation to
environmental stress that improves behavioral control or provides psychological
comfort.

Covid19 – is a causative agent infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2

virus at the year of 2019 (Bradley et.al, 2022)

Insight - agencies are responsible for oversight or administration of a specific

sector, field, or area of study.

Lived Experiences – direct observation of or participation in events as a basis

of knowledge.

Non-government agency - nonprofit entities independent of governmental

influence (Folger, 2022)

Pandemic – is a disease outbreak that spans several countries and affects a

large number of people.

Retired personnel - is considered to be old when he or she is no longer

regarded as a member of the economically active population and has retired from active
life (UNESCO, 1982).

Senior Citizen – an elderly person, usually over the age of 60 and above,
especially one who is retired and living on a pension (Senior Citizen Act).

Vaccine - A preparation that is used to stimulate the body’s immune response

against diseases. Vaccines are usually administered through needle injections, but some
can be administered by mouth or sprayed into the nose. (CDC, 2021).

Organization of the study

The research is written and laid out in a way that readers can easily follow
and comprehend. The following is a brief overview and discussion of the study's
structure:
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Chapter 1 presents the focus and problem of the study: senior citizens’
experiences before and after receiving the COVID-19 booster vaccine: a phenomenology.
Research questions were posed, and significant terms were conceptually and
operationally defined. It also includes the theoretical lens, purpose of the study,
importance of the study, and scope and limitation of the study. 

Chapter 2 highlights the review of related literature and relevant studies similar
to the focus of the research. The researcher gathered and obtained the research through
internet articles and publications while ensuring reliable sources.

Chapter 3 presents the methodology that the researcher employed in

conducting the research. It includes the researcher’s role, research participants, data
analysis, data collection, credibility and trustworthiness of the study, and ethical
considerations.

Chapter 4 shows the results of the study. It provided an analysis of the data and
the presentation of the results. In addition, relevant statements from the participants
were quoted, reflected, and discussed in the summary of the study, the collected data
from the in-depth interview. The chapter also covered the different themes created from
the participant’s responses and the implications of the study for further research.

Reference collects all the sources from the articles, journal, and reliable
information source that already citation