[Safety and effectiveness of the influenza vaccine: new data, new challenges]

[Perception and attitudes of health professionals from a health area regarding influenza vaccination]

OBJECTIVE

Influenza is an infectious, acute and highly contagious disease, and vaccination remains the most effective prevention measure. Health professionals are considered at risk because of their daily exposure with patients. Vaccine coverage among health professionals in Spain is relatively low. The aim of this paper is to describe and analyse the perception and attitudes about influenza vaccination among health professionals from a health care area.

METHOD

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a web application method (EUSurvey). Data were analysed using descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate (logistic regression) analysis using R-project statistical software.

RESULTS

A total of 161 professionals (17.9%) responded to the online survey, 54.0% women (n=87) and 45.9% men (n=74). Influenza vaccination rate coverage among health professionals was 34.7%. The main reason reported by health professionals for getting vaccinated was to protect themselves (98.1%), to protect their family (72.6%), and to protect their patients (65.4%). On the other hand, the reasons for health professionals that reported not getting vaccinated was because of the lack of information about it (37.4%), fear of adverse reactions (22.2%), not having had time (14.1%), and considering that the vaccine does not work (14.1%). Multivariate analysis showed that the main factors for not getting vaccinated was to be female, type of service (administrative, medical-surgical and surgical), lack of information, and not been vaccinated before.

CONCLUSIONS

In order to increase vaccine uptake among health care personnel, information on the benefits of influenza vaccinations must be increased. Vaccination strategies should be targeted at those groups with lower coverage and are at high risk.