Potential use of Western Australia’s mandatory Midwives Notification System for routinely monitoring antenatal vaccine coverage

Background Despite the maternal and infant health benefits of antenatal vaccines and availability of government-funded vaccination programs, Australia does not have a national system for routinely monitoring antenatal vaccination coverage. We evaluated the potential use of Western Australia’s mandatory Midwives Notification System (MNS) as a tool for routinely monitoring antenatal vaccination coverage. Methods Two hundred and sixty-eight women who gave birth to a live infant between August and October 2016 participated in a telephone survey of vaccines received in their most recent pregnancy. For women who reported receiving influenza and/or pertussis vaccine and whose vaccination status was documented by their vaccine provider, MNS vaccination data were compared with the vaccine provider’s record as the ‘gold standard.’ For women who reported receiving no vaccines, MNS vaccination data were compared with self-reported information. Results Influenza and pertussis vaccination status was complete (i.e. documented as either vaccinated or not vaccinated) for 66% and 63% of women, respectively. Sensitivity of MNS influenza vaccination data was 65.7% (95% CI 56.0-74.2%) and specificity was 53.0% (95% CI 42.4-63.4%). Sensitivity of MNS pertussis vaccination data was 62.5% (95% CI 53.3-70.9%) and specificity was 40.4% (95% CI 27.6-54.7%). There was no difference between vaccinated and unvaccinated women in the proportion of MNS records with missing or unknown vaccination information. When considering only MNS records with complete vaccination information, the sensitivity of the MNS influenza vaccination field was 91.8% (95% CI 83.0-96.9%) and the sensitivity of the MNS pertussis vaccination field was 88.0% (95% CI 76.7-95.5%). Conclusion Due to the high proportion of records with missing or unknown vaccination status, we observed low sensitivity and specificity of antenatal vaccination data in the MNS. However, given we did not observe differential ascertainment by vaccination status, MNS records with complete information may be reliable data source for routinely monitoring antenatal vaccine coverage.

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Influenza vaccination coverage in a population-based cohort of Australian-born Aboriginal and non-Indigenous older adults

Communicable Diseases Intelligence ◽

10.33321/cdi.2019.43.30 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 43 ◽

Author(s):

Amalie Dyda ◽

Surendra Karki ◽

Marlene Kong ◽

Heather F Gidding ◽

John M Kaldor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza Vaccine ◽

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Vaccination Coverage ◽

Torres Strait Islander ◽

Vaccine Coverage ◽

Vaccine Uptake ◽

P Value ◽

Healthy Weight ◽

Medical Risk ◽

Torres Strait

Background: There is limited information on vaccination coverage and characteristics associated with vaccine uptake in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander adults. We aimed to provide more current estimates of influenza vaccination coverage in Aboriginal adults. Methods: Self-reported vaccination status (n=559 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander participants, n=80,655 non-Indigenous participants) from the 45 and Up Study, a large cohort of adults aged 45 years or older, was used to compare influenza vaccination coverage in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander adults with coverage in non-Indigenous adults. Results: Of Aboriginal and non-Indigenous respondents aged 49 to <65 years, age-standardised influenza coverage was respectively 45.2% (95% CI 39.5–50.9%) and 38.5%, (37.9–39.0%), p-value for heterogeneity=0.02. Coverage for Aboriginal and non-Indigenous respondents aged ≥65 years was respectively 67.3% (59.9–74.7%) and 72.6% (72.2–73.0%), p-heterogeneity=0.16. Among Aboriginal adults, coverage was higher in obese than in healthy weight participants (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=2.38, 95%CI 1.44–3.94); in those aged <65 years with a medical risk factor than in those without medical risk factors (aOR=2.13, 1.37–3.30); and in those who rated their health as fair/poor compared to those who rated it excellent (aOR=2.57, 1.26–5.20). Similar associations were found among non-Indigenous adults. Conclusions: In this sample of adults ≥65 years, self-reported influenza vaccine coverage was not significantly different between Aboriginal and non-Indigenous adults whereas in those <65 years, coverage was higher among Aboriginal adults. Overall, coverage in the whole cohort was suboptimal. If these findings are replicated in other samples and in the Australian Immunisation Register, it suggests that measures to improve uptake, such as communication about the importance of influenza vaccine and more effective reminder systems, are needed among adults.

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Effect of COVID-19 on vaccination coverage in Brazil

Journal of Medical Microbiology ◽

10.1099/jmm.0.001466 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 70 (11) ◽

Author(s):

Marcelle Moura Silveira ◽

Neida Lucia Conrad ◽

Fábio Pereira Leivas Leite

Keyword(s):

Vaccination Coverage ◽

Physical Distance ◽

Disease Notification ◽

Notification System ◽

Vaccination Programs ◽

Vaccine Preventable Diseases ◽

Antigen Vaccine ◽

Restricted Mobility ◽

Consistent Information ◽

The Impact

During the COVID-19 pandemic, recommendations for maintaining physical distance, restricted mobility measures, as well as fear of mass transmission by going to health centers have significantly contributed to the general vaccination coverage, which by and large is decreasing worldwide; thus, favoring the potential re-emergence of vaccine-preventable diseases. In this study, we have used the existing data on vaccination coverage during the pre-pandemic (2019) as well as the pandemic (2020) period to evaluate the impact of coronavirus outbreaks during the vaccination drive in Brazil. Furthermore, we have accumulated data since 2015 among the different regions of the country to acquire more consistent information. The various vaccines analyzed in our study were meningococcal C conjugate, Triple antigen vaccine, 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate, and BCG; subsequently, the data were obtained from the National Disease Notification System. This study revealed that the ongoing immunization drive saw a steep decline of around 10 to 20% during the (2019–2020) pandemic period in Brazil. These results provide strong evidence towards the decreasing trends following the vaccination programs during the COVID-19 pandemic period in Brazil. Furthermore, our results also highlight the importance of adopting widespread multi-component interventions to improve vaccination uptake rates.

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Vaccination status of the children admitted at a school hospital

Revista de Enfermagem UFPE on line ◽

10.5205/reuol.1262-12560-1-le.0508201123 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 5 (8) ◽

pp. 1987

Author(s):

Thaís De Almeida da Silva ◽

Suzana Lins da Silva ◽

Maria Gorete Lucena de Vasconcelos

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Quantitative Study ◽

Vaccination Coverage ◽

Vaccine Coverage ◽

Ethics Committee ◽

Vaccination Status ◽

Immunization Schedule ◽

Proper Functioning ◽

Sample Characteristics ◽

Sobre Todo

ABSTRACTObjective: describing the vaccination status of the children admitted in a school hospital in Recife-PE. Methodology: descriptive, exploratory, crossectional and quantitative study with a sample of 296 children aged from 0 to full 72 months. To collect the data we used a questionnaire containing open and closed questions and the same has been started after approval by the Ethics Committee of IMIP Protocol (No 1100/2007). Results: It was observed that 65,6% of the children at the maximum age of 12 months presented a delayed immunization schedule. Conclusions: although the majority of the sample characteristics of this present study were favorable for an excellent vaccine coverage was present, this fact was not observed, this finding could be considered alarming, because this portion of the population is more vulnerable to preventable diseases. Thus, it is necessary a greater commitment especially by those working in primary care in the PSFs, since they are closer to the community and know their limitations, so that flaws like this are corrected. It is emphasized the importance of the proper functioning of the halls of vaccines, thus able to reverse the low vaccination coverage, helping to achieve the target of PNI, and mainly we are valuing our children's health. Descriptors: vaccination; vaccination coverage; immunization RESUMOObjetivo: descrever a situação vacinal das crianças internadas em um Hospital-Escola da cidade do Recife-PE. Metodologia: estudo descritivo, exploratório, transversal e quantitativo com amostra de 296 crianças na faixa etária de zero a 72 meses completos de idade. Para a coleta dos dados utilizou-se um instrumento contendo questões abertas e fechadas e a mesma deu-se inicio após aprovação do Comitê de Ética do IMIP (protocolo nº 1100/ 2007). Resultados: em relação ao esquema vacinal 65,6% das crianças com idade menor ou igual a 12 meses, estavam com o esquema vacinal em atraso. Conclusões: embora a maioria das características da amostra do presente estudo fosse favorável para que uma excelente cobertura vacinal estivesse presente, tal fato não foi observado, tal achado pode ser considerado preocupante, pois esta parcela da população encontra-se mais vulnerável às doenças imunopreveníveis. Deste modo, faz-se necessário um maior empenho principalmente por parte dos profissionais que trabalham na atenção básica, nos PSFs, uma vez que estes estão mais próximos da comunidade e conhecem as suas limitações, para que falhas como esta sejam corrigidas. Ressalta-se ainda a importância do bom funcionamento das salas de vacinas,deste modo conseguiremos reverter as baixas coberturas vacinais, contribuindo para alcançar a meta do PNI, e, principalmente estaremos prezando pela saúde das nossas crianças. Descritores: vacinação; cobertura vacinal; imunizaçãoRESUMENObjetivo: describir la situación relativa a vacunas de niños internados en un Hospital Escuela de la ciudad de Recife (Pernambuco, Brasil). Metodología: estudio descriptivo, exploratorio, transversal y cuantitativo con una muestra de 296 niños de entre cero y 72 meses de edad completos. Para recoger los datos se utilizó un cuestionario con preguntas abiertas y cerradas y lo mismo se ha iniciado después de la aprobación por el Comité de Ética del IMIP (Protocolo n º 1100/2007. Resultados: en relación al esquema de vacunación el 65,6% de los niños con edad menor o igual a 12 meses estaba con su esquema de vacunación en atraso. Conclusiones: aunque la mayoría de los niños del muestreo del presente estudio tuviera condiciones favorables a una efectiva cobertura de vacunación presente, no se observó tal hecho. Este hallazgo puede considerarse preocupante puesto que esta parte de la población se encuentra más vulnerable a las enfermedades inmuno-prevenibles. De esta forma es necesario un mayor empeño, principalmente por parte de los profesionales que trabajan en la atención ambulatoria, en los Programas de Salud de la Familia (visitas médicas), ya que están más cercanos de los pacientes y conocen incluso sus limitaciones, para que los errores se corrijan. Se destaca la importancia del buen funcionamiento de las salas de vacunas. De este modo se conseguirán revertir las bajas coberturas de vacunación, contribuyendo para alcanzar la meta del Programa Nacional de Inmunización, y sobre todo se estará velando por la salud de los niños. Descriptores: vacunación; cobertura vacuna; inmunización.

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Influenza vaccination coverage rates in the general population and risk groups: A review of the current international situation

Postępy Higieny i Medycyny Doświadczalnej ◽

10.5604/01.3001.0012.8258 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 72 ◽

pp. 1138-1147

Author(s):

Aneta Nitsch-Osuch ◽

Anna Jagielska ◽

Lidia B. Brydak

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

General Population ◽

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Vaccination Coverage ◽

Vaccine Coverage ◽

Risk Groups ◽

The Elderly ◽

Current Data ◽

Health Care Facilities ◽

Coverage Rates

Although several national and international recommendations have been published, influenza vaccinations are carried out too rarely and thus vaccine coverage rates, both in the general population and in risk groups, remain at an unsatisfactorily low level. The paper presents the current data describing influenza vaccine coverage rates in different countries, in the general population and risk groups (including patients with chronic diseases, pregnant women, children the elderly) and health care workers. It is emphasized that there are many limitations related to the estimation of coverage rates. Methods that are currently used for the assessment of influenza vaccination coverage rates include the following: an analysis of data from health care facilities or providers, from national health insurance records, from well-documented national or private vaccine programs targeting at specific smaller groups, evaluation of national vaccine register, and national surveys of individuals. The establishment of coverage rates among specific groups usually requires another approach with the use of individual web- or telephone- based surveys, which is why selection bias and recall bias should be taken into consideration while discussing the results. The most common drivers and barriers for influenza vaccination are also identified and presented in the review.

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An Internet-Based Survey of Influenza Vaccination Coverage in Healthcare Workers in China, 2018/2019 Season

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines8010006 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 6 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Haitao Liu ◽

Yayun Tan ◽

Muli Zhang ◽

Zhibin Peng ◽

Jiandong Zheng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza Vaccine ◽

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Vaccination Coverage ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Online Survey ◽

Vaccine Coverage ◽

National Level ◽

Influence Factors ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Vaccine Uptake

Influenza vaccination coverage was low among healthcare workers (HCWs) in China. In October 2018, the National Health Commission of China began to require all hospitals to provide free influenza vaccination for HCWs to increase vaccine uptake, and no study on vaccine coverage among HCWs at the national level after the announcement of new policy. This evaluation aims to investigate self-reported influenza vaccination coverage among HCWs and factors that may affect vaccine receipt during the 2018/2019 influenza season. We delivered an opt-in internet panel survey among registered HCWs of DXY forum (the biggest online forum for HCWs in China). The survey was self-administered using a standard questionnaire to collect information on demographics, occupational characteristics, policy implementation, influenza vaccination and influence factors. We conducted multivariate logistic regression analysis to assess factors associated with receipt of influenza vaccine. The response rate of this online survey was 3.6%. The seasonal influenza vaccine coverage reported among HCWs surveyed during the 2018/2019 season was 11.6% (472/4078). Only 19.0% (774/4078) of HCWs surveyed reported free policy in their workplace. Combing free policy and workplace requirement proved to be effective to improve influenza vaccination coverage in HCWs (PR = 6.90, 95% CI: 6.03–7.65). The influenza vaccination coverage among surveyed HCWs in China was low during the 2018/2019 season. To increase future vaccination uptake, we recommend a multi-faceted strategy that include free policy, workplace requirement and promotion, on-site vaccination, and monitoring.

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Influenza Vaccination and Non-Pharmaceutical Measure Effectiveness for Preventing Influenza Outbreaks in Schools: A Surveillance-Based Evaluation in Beijing

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines8040714 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 714

Author(s):

Ying Sun ◽

Peng Yang ◽

Quanyi Wang ◽

Li Zhang ◽

Wei Duan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza Virus ◽

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Vaccination Coverage ◽

Vaccine Coverage ◽

Febrile Illness ◽

Rapid Identification ◽

Regression Modeling ◽

First Case ◽

Multi Stage ◽

Influenza Outbreaks

Although schools are known to play a major role in the spread of influenza virus, few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of vaccination and non-pharmaceutical measures for preventing influenza outbreaks in schools. We investigated all febrile illness outbreaks in primary and secondary schools in Beijing reported between August 2018 and July 2019. We obtained epidemiological information on febrile illness outbreaks and oral pharyngeal swabs from students in the outbreaks to test for influenza virus. We surveyed schools that did not report febrile illness outbreaks. We developed multi-level models to identify and evaluate factors associated with serious influenza outbreaks and explored the association of vaccine coverage and outbreaks using multi-stage regression models. We identified a total of 748 febrile illness outbreaks involving 8176 students in Beijing; 462 outbreaks were caused by influenza virus. Adjusted regression modeling showed that large class size (odds ratio (OR) = 2.38) and the number of days from identification of the first case to initiation of an intervention (OR = 1.17) were statistically significant and positively associated with serious outbreaks, and that high vaccination coverage (relative risk (RR) = 0.50) was statistically significant and negatively associated with outbreaks. Multi-stage regression modeling showed that RR decreased fastest when vaccination coverage was 45% to 51%. We conclude that high influenza vaccination coverage can prevent influenza outbreaks in schools and that rapid identification of febrile children and early initiation of non-pharmaceutical measures can reduce outbreak size.

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Influenza Vaccination Coverage among Older Adults with Hypertension in Shenzhen, China: A Cross-Sectional Survey during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9101105 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 1105

Author(s):

Qiushuang Li ◽

Minyi Zhang ◽

Hongbiao Chen ◽

Fei Wu ◽

Juxian Xian ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Older People ◽

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Vaccination Coverage ◽

Family Doctor ◽

Vaccination Status ◽

Older Individuals ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Influenza Vaccinations

Background: Older individuals with hypertension are at a high risk of being infected with influenza. However, there have been few studies investigating the influenza vaccination status among older people with hypertension. The present work aimed to estimate the vaccination coverage and determine the predictors of seasonal influenza vaccinations among hypertensive patients aged over 60 years in Shenzhen, China. Method: The study used data from an online cross-sectional survey that was conducted in Shenzhen City, China, in October 2020. Frequencies and proportions of all the variables including sociodemographic characteristics and health-related information were described and tabulated based on the influenza vaccination status. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent predictors associated with the influenza vaccination. Results: A total of 5216 older people with hypertension aged above 60 years were recruited. Overall, only 4.7% had received an influenza vaccine in the latest influenza season. Using the action toward being vaccinated as the primary outcome, the multivariable regression analysis showed that participants aged over 80 years (aOR 2.957, 95% CI: 1.784–4.900), obtaining higher education levels (aOR 1.424, 95% CI: 1.060–1.914 for high school, aOR 1.681, 95% CI: 1.066–2.650 for college or above), living with a partner (aOR 1.432, 95% CI: 1.068–1.920), using a family doctor (aOR 2.275, 95% CI: 1.744–2.968), and taking a physical examination 1–2 and ≥3 times each year (aOR 2.107, 95% CI: 1.601–2.772 and aOR 2.118, 95% CI: 1.083–4.143, respectively) were more likely to be vaccinated. In contrast, smokers had less likelihood of having the influenza vaccination than non-smokers (aOR 1.829, 95% CI: 1.208–2.767). Conclusions: The coverage rate of influenza vaccinations is far away from optimistic among older adults with hypertension. Additional works should be undertaken immediately to improve the influenza vaccination status.

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2733. Association Between Influenza Vaccination Coverage and Ambulatory Antibiotic Prescription Rates in Children in South Carolina

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofz360.2411 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. S962-S962 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mariam Younas ◽

Julie Royer ◽

Hana Rac ◽

Sharon Weissman ◽

Katie Waites ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Carolina ◽

Influenza Vaccine ◽

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Vaccination Coverage ◽

Influenza Season ◽

Antibiotic Prescription ◽

Vaccine Coverage ◽

Prescription Rate ◽

Prescription Rates ◽

Carolina Population

Abstract Background Prior studies demonstrated an increase in ambulatory antibiotic prescription rates during the peak of Influenza virus activity, which often occurs during the first 4 months of the year in Southeastern United States. However, the impact of Influenza vaccination coverage on antibiotic prescription rates remains undefined. The purpose of this retrospective cohort study is to examine the association between Influenza vaccination coverage and ambulatory antibiotic prescription rates in children in South Carolina from 2012 to 2017. Methods Medicaid and State Employee Health Plan pharmacy claims for outpatient oral antibiotics were utilized for estimation of community antibiotic prescription rates in South Carolina population 6 months to 17 years of age from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2017, which represents approximately 60% of the South Carolina population in this age group. Linear regression was used to examine the association between antibiotic prescription rates in January to April of each year and Influenza vaccine coverage in children 6 months to 17 years old after adjustments for Influenza vaccine effectiveness in that season as obtained from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Results During the 6-year study period, the mean antimicrobial prescription rate in children in South Carolina declined from 103 to 79 per 1000 person-months for the months January through April indicating a 26% decline (P < 0.0001). Influenza vaccine coverage also increased from 50.6% during the first Influenza season of the study and peaked at 60.7% in 2014–2015 Influenza season (Figure 1). After adjusting for the vaccine effectiveness, the decline in antibiotic prescription rate was significantly associated with an increase in vaccine coverage in children (P-value < 0.01). Antibiotic prescription rates declined by 3 per 1,000 person-months for each 1% increase in Influenza vaccine coverage in children. Conclusion There is a temporal association between the increase in Influenza vaccination coverage and the decline in ambulatory antibiotic prescription rates in children in South Carolina. Achieving the CDC’s set target Influenza vaccination coverage of 70% of the population may be associated with greater decline in ambulatory antibiotic prescription rates in children in the future. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

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A Systems Map to Elucidate the Factors Influencing Vaccine Coverage

Transdisciplinary Insights ◽

10.11116/tdi2019.3.5 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 115-150

Author(s):

Ellie Cassandra Clark ◽

Florian De Rop ◽

Iria Anne Jimenez Garcia ◽

Ana Nogal Macho ◽

Ruel Alexander Mannette ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Vaccination Coverage ◽

Vaccine Coverage ◽

Herd Immunity ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Wicked Problem ◽

Sources Of Information ◽

Contributing Factors ◽

Vaccination Programs ◽

Vaccine Confidence

Abstract This abstract is a report of the investigations by a transdisciplinary team working on the ‘Vaccine Confidence’ challenge (Supplement 1). Since their introduction, vaccines have been one of the most successful health interventions in medicine. Prior to vaccination programs against poliomyelitis, more than 350,000 cases of polio were reported annually worldwide, a number that decreased to just 33 reported cases in 20181. Additionally, between 2000 and 2017, the measles vaccination program is estimated to have prevented 21.1 million deaths.2 However, in 2018 more than 19 million children under one year of age did not receive the recommended WHO vaccines.3 A recent rise in anti-vaccine or vaccination-hesitant mentalities has led to decreasing vaccine coverage in several Western countries. The WHO identified three C’s as main determinants of vaccine hesitancy, namely Complacency, Convenience in accessing vaccines, and Confidence. However, the term ‘vaccine hesitancy’ tends to be interpreted as a lack of confidence in vaccines and vaccinations for various reasons. Nevertheless, the goal of vaccination is to reach herd immunity by reaching a high vaccination coverage (90‐95% vaccinated) to stop the circulation of vaccine preventable diseases. We wanted to give equal attention to the three C’s as they are equally important in reaching herd immunity. <target target-type="page-num" id="p-116"/>Therefore, we chose to present the problem as a challenge of ‘vaccine coverage,’ rather than ‘vaccine hesitancy’ or ‘vaccine confidence’. In order to understand the complexity of the problem, we have developed a systems map which relates different global factors that impact an individual’s vaccination decision-making, as well as their likelihood of receiving vaccinations (Supplement 2). To create this map we assembled the information for the variables and connections from literature studies of peer-reviewed articles and interviews with stakeholders, kept anonymous, in the field of vaccination or healthcare (Supplements 3 & 4). This approach was selected as it provides a wide perspective that allows academics, governmental authorities, and lawmakers to better assess the various factors that affect vaccine coverage, and how they are related. The work leading to the map was presented to the public at a symposium (Supplement 5). Our map identifies essential factors such as psychology, education, economy, vaccine technology, political and environmental sphere, sources of information, and healthcare in order to understand what governs vaccination coverage. The map emphasizes how various factors and determinants are often interrelated, as opposed to the isolated factors described in previous literature. We identified important discrepancies between developed and developing countries regarding the factors that drive vaccine-related decision-making and availability. The systems map could ultimately serve as a tool to better understand the multifaceted problem of suboptimal vaccination coverage. Vaccine hesitancy as a threat to vaccination coverage is a complex and wicked problem with many underlying contributing factors, as has been depicted in our systems map on vaccine coverage. Our systems map allows more in-depth insights, not only into which factors are contributing, but also into the relationship between factors. Solving the decrease in vaccination coverage will require different types of solutions which can be developed by using a transdisciplinary approach.

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Influenza Vaccination Coverage and Intention to Receive Hypothetical Ebola and COVID-19 Vaccines among Medical Students

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9070709 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. 709

Author(s):

Ewa Talarek ◽

Joanna Warzecha ◽

Marcin Banasiuk ◽

Aleksandra Banaszkiewicz

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Influenza Vaccine ◽

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Vaccination Coverage ◽

Vaccination Status ◽

Vaccine Uptake ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Medical University ◽

Influenza Vaccinations ◽

To Receive

The study aimed to determine influenza vaccine uptake among medical students and their intention to receive a hypothetical Ebola or COVID-19 vaccine. This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was performed in 2015 and 2020 on 675 medical students at the Medical University of Warsaw, Poland. In 2020, the influenza vaccination coverage was 36.5%, and students were almost five times more likely to be vaccinated than in 2015 (OR = 4.8; 95% CI: 3.1–7.5). In 2020, the survey was conducted during the first university campaign targeted at free influenza vaccinations for all students, as well as during the first lockdown in Poland due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, clinical students (4th–6th study year) were significantly more often vaccinated than preclinical students (p < 0.001), in contrast to 2015. A majority—67.0% and 94.6%—of students expressed their intention to receive a hypothetical Ebola or COVID-19 vaccine, respectively. Among the medical students, influenza vaccination status was a predictor of the intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Influenza vaccine uptake among medical students has increased significantly, but it is still not optimal; thus, further educational efforts are needed to convince those who are hesitant regarding vaccines. A high number of students reported their intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, and it is crucial to support their positive attitude about it.

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