Intention to have the seasonal influenza vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic among eligible adults in the UK: a cross-sectional survey

ObjectiveTo investigate the likelihood of having the seasonal influenza vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic in individuals who were eligible to receive it.DesignWe conducted a cross-sectional online survey in July 2020. We included predictors informed by previous research, in the following categories: sociodemographic variables; uptake of influenza vaccine last winter and beliefs about vaccination.Participants570 participants (mean age: 53.07; 56.3% female, 87.0% white) who were eligible for the free seasonal influenza vaccination in the UK.Results59.7% of our sample indicated they were likely to have the seasonal influenza vaccination, 22.1% reported being unlikely to have the vaccination and 18.2% were unsure. We used logistic regression to investigate variables associated with intention to receive a seasonal influenza vaccine in the 2020–2021 season. A positive attitude to vaccination in general predicted intention to have the influenza vaccine in 2020–2021 (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.19 to 1.77, p<0.001) but the strongest predictor of intention was previous influenza vaccination behaviour (OR 278.58, 95% CI 78.04 to 994.46, p<0.001).ConclusionsPrevious research suggests that increasing uptake of the influenza vaccination may help contain a COVID-19 outbreak, so steps need to be taken to convert intention into behaviour and to reach those individuals who reported being unlikely or unsure about having the vaccine.

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Factors Associated with Attitudes towards Seasonal Influenza Vaccination in Poland: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey in 2020

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9111336 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. 1336

Author(s):

Piotr Samel-Kowalik ◽

Mateusz Jankowski ◽

Mira Lisiecka-Biełanowicz ◽

Aurelia Ostrowska ◽

Mariusz Gujski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Positive Attitude ◽

Seasonal Influenza ◽

Risk Groups ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Seasonal Influenza Vaccination ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Internet Users ◽

Pandemic Flu

We aimed to assess attitudes towards the influenza vaccine and factors associated with a willingness to vaccinate against seasonal influenza in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic (flu season 2020/2021). This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was carried out between 5 and 15 November 2020 on a representative nationwide sample of 1052 individuals aged 18+ in Poland. Of the respondents, 5.5% (95% CI: 4.3–7.0%) declared that they had already got vaccinated against influenza and 13.4% (95% CI: 11.4–15.6%) declared a willingness to vaccinate against influenza during the 2020/2021 season. Out of nine different factors analyzed in this study, only three were significantly associated with attitudes towards influenza vaccination. Participants aged 75 years and over (OR = 5.82; 95% CI: 2.63–12.85), as well as participants aged 60–74 years (OR = 2.43; 95% CI: 1.30–4.54), compared to those aged 19–29, had significantly higher odds of having a positive attitude towards seasonal influenza vaccination. Respondents who define themselves as completely religious unbelievers (OR = 4.34; 95% CI: 1.79–10.55), as well as Internet users (OR = 2.12; 95% CI: 1.30–3.47), had higher odds of having a positive attitude towards influenza vaccination. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the percentage of adults in Poland who already got vaccinated or declared a willingness to vaccinate against influenza remains low. This also applies to high-risk groups.

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Influenza Vaccination Hesitancy among Healthcare Workers in South Al Batinah Governorate in Oman: A Cross-Sectional Study

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines8040661 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 661

Author(s):

Salah T. Al Awaidy ◽

Zayid K. Al Mayahi ◽

Malak Kaddoura ◽

Ozayr Mahomed ◽

Nathalie Lahoud ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza Vaccine ◽

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Seasonal Influenza ◽

General Medicine ◽

Knowledge Score ◽

Vaccine Uptake ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Increased Risk

Background: Seasonal influenza infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are an important target group for vaccination against influenza due to their increased risk of infection and their potential to transmit the infection to their patients, families and communities. The aim of this study was to assess the potential hesitancy and its associated factors towards influenza vaccination amongst HCWs in the South Al Batinah governorate in Oman. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 390 HCWs with direct or indirect patient contact was conducted in May and June 2019 using a self-administered questionnaire. Associations between HCW characteristics and vaccination status were examined using bivariate and multivariate analyses to identify the likelihood of vaccination against seasonal influenza among HCWs. Results: Overall, 60% of HCWs were vaccinated in the 2018/2019 season; vaccine uptake among nurses was 52% and uptake was higher among women. Self-protection and protection of the community were the most cited reasons for vaccine acceptance, with side effects being the main reason for hesitancy. Vaccinated respondents had a higher mean knowledge score (7.18; standard deviation SD: 2.14) than unvaccinated respondents (6.30; SD: 2.2). Odds of vaccination were highest among respondents who believed influenza vaccine should be mandatory for HCWs (Odds ratio (OR): 2.04 [1.30–3.18]), those working in the general medicine, emergency medicine, or intensive care units (OR: 1.92 [1.20–3.10]), nurses and doctors (OR: 1.75 [1.09–2.79]) and those who believe that HCWs should receive an influenza vaccine (OR: 1.35 [1.07–2.77]). Conclusions: The study provides valuable insights into the enablers and barriers of influenza vaccination practices among HCWs and may inform interventions to increase acceptance of vaccination.

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Attitudes, believes, determinants and organisational barriers behind the low seasonal influenza vaccination uptake in healthcare workers – A cross-sectional survey

Vaccine ◽

10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.04.044 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 36 (23) ◽

pp. 3351-3358 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Lise Boey ◽

Charlotte Bral ◽

Mathieu Roelants ◽

Antoon De Schryver ◽

Lode Godderis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Seasonal Influenza ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Seasonal Influenza Vaccination ◽

Vaccination Uptake

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Healthcare Workers’ Willingness to Receive Influenza Vaccination in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Survey in Southern Italy

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9070766 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. 766

Author(s):

Gabriella Di Giuseppe ◽

Concetta P. Pelullo ◽

Andrea Paolantonio ◽

Giorgia Della Polla ◽

Maria Pavia

Keyword(s):

Side Effects ◽

Influenza Vaccine ◽

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Southern Italy ◽

Hospitalized Patients ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Enabling Factors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

To Receive

This cross-sectional survey was designed to evaluate hospital healthcare workers’ (HCWs) willingness to receive the influenza vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify the related determinants, since it is plausible that the two epidemics will coexist in future winters. Overall, 68% out of 490 participants expressed their willingness to receive influenza vaccination in the 2020/21 season, with 95% of those ever and 45.8% of those never vaccinated in the previous six influenza seasons. Belief that influenza vaccine is useful in distinguishing influenza symptoms from those of COVID-19 and that the influenza vaccine is useful to prevent influenza in hospital settings, willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccination, having no concern about influenza vaccine side effects, concern about the possibility to transmit influenza to hospitalized patients, and influenza vaccination in previous years were all predictors of willingness to receive influenza vaccination. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, a relevant increase in the willingness to undergo influenza vaccination was reported. Therefore, interventions focused primarily on enabling factors are needed to promote the adherence to influenza vaccination in future seasons among HCWs.

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Seasonal influenza vaccination: knowledge, attitude and practice in Varna, Bulgaria

Therapeutic Advances in Vaccines and Immunotherapy ◽

10.1177/2515135519868152 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

pp. 251513551986815

Author(s):

Neli M. Ermenlieva ◽

Gabriela S. Tsankova ◽

Tatina T. Todorova

Keyword(s):

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Seasonal Influenza ◽

Vaccine Coverage ◽

Negative Attitude ◽

Risk Groups ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Seasonal Influenza Vaccination ◽

Knowledge And Attitude ◽

Practice Knowledge

Background: Seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended for certain at-risk groups in Bulgaria, but vaccine coverage and the population’s perception of vaccination are currently unknown. The objective of this study was to assess the level of seasonal influenza vaccination in Varna Region, Bulgaria. It also aimed to investigate the status of knowledge and the attitude towards the reliability, safety, and other aspects associated with the use of influenza vaccines. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 120 responders in Varna Region, Bulgaria. They completed a questionnaire assessing the practice, knowledge, and attitude towards seasonal influenza vaccination. Results: Nearly 70% of all responders have never been vaccinated against seasonal influenza in their lives. The main reason indicated was a lack of confidence in the vaccine in general (53.7% of nonvaccinated responders). Individuals with insufficient knowledge, or with a negative perception, were more likely to not be vaccinated: being poorly informed and having a negative attitude towards influenza vaccination also decreased the chance of being vaccinated by 29% and 36%, respectively. Conclusions: This study indicates that efforts should be made towards achieving better understanding and knowledge of the vaccine’s mechanism of prevention and effectiveness among the Bulgarian population.

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Seasonal Influenza Vaccination among Saudi Children: Parental Barriers and Willingness to Vaccinate Their Children

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16214226 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (21) ◽

pp. 4226 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Abdullah Alolayan ◽

Bdoor Almotairi ◽

Shouq Alshammari ◽

Malak Alhearri ◽

Mohammed Alsuhaibani

Keyword(s):

Influenza Vaccine ◽

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Seasonal Influenza ◽

Risk Groups ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Severe Condition ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Seasonal Influenza Vaccine ◽

Awareness Campaigns ◽

Knowledge And Attitudes

Influenza is an acute respiratory infection. It is a contagious viral illness which can cause moderate to severe symptoms. However, high-risk groups, including children, can develop a severe condition requiring hospitalization that may, in severe cases, result in death. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes of Saudi parents toward the influenza vaccine and identify potential barriers to receiving the influenza vaccination. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a questionnaire comprising 27 validated questions to assess parental awareness, knowledge, and attitudes toward the influenza vaccine. The overall attitude of the participants was positive (94.7%). However, their knowledge was generally poor (61.7%). Most participants were aware of the seasonal influenza vaccine (85.5%) and their children were up-to-date with the child national vaccination program vaccines (92.7%). Medical staff and awareness campaigns were the commonest sources of vaccine information. Significant predictors for knowledge about and attitudes toward the influenza vaccine included educational level, working in the medical field, monthly income, awareness of the seasonal influenza vaccine, having received the vaccine as parent, and having a child already vaccinated. Adherence to the influenza vaccination regimen for parents and their children was low. More educational campaigns are needed to increase knowledge about the vaccine.

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