Vaccine Hesitancy among Master's Degree Students in Nursing and Midwifery: Attitude and Knowledge about Influenza Vaccination

Knowledge and attitudes of healthcare workers about influenza vaccination

BACKGROUND

Influenza infection is a highly contagious viral disease. It may cause several nosocomial outbreaks. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of healthcare workers (HCWs) about influenza vaccination and to identify factors associated with the uptake of influenza vaccination.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study over 5 months between November 2021 and March 2022. Data was collected using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. We included all HCWs at Taher Sfar University Hospital who were willing to participate in the study.

RESULTS

A total of 395 HCWs were included. They were mainly women (78.7%) with an average age of 27 years. The medical personnel was the largest group (67.8%). Most respondents considered the vaccination to be optional and knew that it should be renewed every year, but 97.5% of them judged the efficacy of the vaccine to be low. The influenza vaccination uptake was only 20.2%. The main reasons for accepting vaccination were to protect patients and families. However, misconceptions about the severity and the risk of influenza and the belief that barrier measures were sufficient to prevent infection were the main causes of avoiding vaccination. The factors associated with adherence to vaccination were being a medical professional, old age, longer professional experience, and considering vaccination to be mandatory for HCWs.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed a low adherence to influenza vaccination with misconceptions about vaccine efficacy and safety. More efforts are needed to improve the knowledge of HCW about the vaccine and boost the adherence rates.

Vaccine Hesitancy in Israel: Exploring the Relationships with Vaccination History, Knowledge, and Attitudes towards Influenza Vaccines

Influenza vaccination is a highly effective strategy for mitigating all the repercussions of influenza infections. Despite the potential severity of influenza and the accessibility of secure vaccinations, worldwide rates of influenza vaccination continue to be low, particularly among students. This study examines the correlative relationships between influenza vaccine history, knowledge, attitudes toward influenza vaccines, and vaccine hesitancy among college students. To that end, we used an online questionnaire to conduct a cross-sectional study encompassing 610 students. A significant majority of participants reported having experienced influenza (82%), with slightly more than half having received influenza vaccinations in the past (57%). With respect to the current research year, health sciences students exhibited a higher likelihood of either having been vaccinated or intending to receive the vaccine than did their counterparts. Among students who had been vaccinated previously, approximately one-fifth opted for vaccination in the present year (21%). Similarly, 22% of the students whose parents were vaccinated chose to get vaccinated this year. Notable disparities in knowledge about influenza vaccines were observed across various departments, with health sciences students demonstrating the highest levels of awareness. Moreover, a negative relationship was found between knowledge, attitudes, and vaccine hesitancy. These results suggest that targeted lectures by professionals emphasizing vaccine safety and university-hosted events addressing this subject in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, incorporating influenza vaccination stations, could be instrumental in bolstering the vaccination rate.

Attitudes toward influenza vaccination in healthcare workers in Italy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are among the at-risk groups for whom influenza vaccination is strongly recommended. To assess the proportion of Italian HCWs with positive attitudes toward influenza vaccination, we conducted a systematic review of relevant literature and a meta-analysis. Our focus was on the influenza seasons from 2017/18 to 2021/22. The prevalence of favorable attitudes toward vaccination varied, ranging from 12% during the 2017/18 influenza season to 59% in the 2020/21 season. The significant increase in the 2020/21 season can be attributed to adaptations necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. During the 2021/22 influenza season, there was a decline in vaccination coverage (37%), likely due to the absence of a robust preventive culture. Various strategies have been employed to enhance HCWs' attitudes to achieve higher vaccination rates, but none of them have demonstrated satisfactory results. Policymakers should consider implementing a policy of mandatory vaccination to ensure elevated vaccination coverage among HCWs.

Socio-demographic determinants of influenza vaccination uptake behavior: A nationwide cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the sociodemographic determinants of flu vaccine uptake among the Saudi population.

METHODS

A nationwide cross-sectional study was carried out in Saudi Arabia in December 2020, and 1,650 participants took the survey. Data were collected electronically using a structured questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to establish the association between vaccine uptake behavior and sociodemographic characteristics of the study participants.

RESULTS

Out of the 1650 participants, 31.5% reported having received the flu vaccine during the 2019-2020 flu season. The logistic regression analysis showed that age above 45 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=2.20, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [1.15-3.05], p=0.002), being married (aOR=1.75, 95% CI: [1.28-3.51], p=0.001), and having a postgraduate degree (aOR=1.51, 95% CI: [1.05-2.23], p=0.044) were significant factors associated with higher vaccine uptake. The study also showed that the perceived risk of getting the flu (aOR=2.15, 95% CI: [1.30-5.72], p=0.001) and knowledge regarding the vaccine (aOR=1.71, 95% CI: [1.08-4.22], p=0.001) were significant factors associated with vaccine uptake.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that efforts to increase flu vaccine uptake should focus on increasing awareness and education regarding the benefits of vaccination, particularly among young individuals.

Influenza Vaccination Uptake and Prognostic Factors among Health Professionals in Italy: Results from the Nationwide Surveillance PASSI 2015-2018

(1) Influenza causes a significant health and socio-economic burden every year, and health personnel (HP) are at higher risk of exposure to respiratory pathogens than the general population. (2) The study's purpose was to describe and compare influenza vaccine uptake and its prognostic factors among Medical Doctors (MDs) and Non-Medical Health Personnel (NMHP) vs. Non-HP (NHP). We analyzed 2014-2018 data (n = 105,608) from the Italian Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System PASSI that, since 2008, has been collecting health-related information continuously in sampled adults. (3) MDs and NMHP represented, respectively, 1.1% and 4.6% of the sample. Among HP, 22.8% (CI 19.8-26.1%) of MDs and 8.5% (CI 7.5-9.5%) of NMHP reported to have been vaccinated vs. 6.3% (CI 6.1-6.5%) in NHP. This difference is confirmed in the three categories (MDs, NMHP, NHP), even more across age groups: in 18-34 yy, respectively, 9.9%, 4.4%, 3.4% vs. 28.4%, 13.9%, 10.6% in 50-64 yy. PASSI surveillance shows an increasing influenza vaccination uptake over time, especially among MDs (22.2% in 2014 vs. 30.5% in 2018). (4) Despite such an increase, especially among younger HP, influenza vaccination uptake is low. Even more under pandemic scenarios, these figures represent key information to address effective strategies for disease prevention and health promotion.

The public's attitude to and acceptance of periodic doses of the COVID-19 vaccine: A survey from Jordan

AIMS

This study surveyed people regarding their acceptance of periodic doses (i.e., annual boosters) of the COVID-19 vaccine. Moreover, factors that correlate with attitudes toward periodic COVID-19 vaccines were assessed and identified.

METHOD

The study employed a cross-sectional methodology. The study questionnaire was distributed using Google Forms. Data were collected during the last quarter of 2021, and 1,416 adults (18 years old and over) from Jordan responded. Acceptance of COVID-19 periodic vaccine doses was calculated as a percentage of the total number of study participants, and their attitudes were scored. A multiple regression model was used to determine the predictors of public attitudes toward the annual dose of COVID-19 vaccines.

RESULTS

The acceptance rate for receiving periodic doses of the COVID-19 vaccine was low (19.3%). Additionally, 26% of participants were unsure about receiving additional doses of the vaccine. However, 54.7% had a negative attitude toward getting periodic doses. The mean score for attitudes toward periodic doses was 47.9 (range: 29-66). Among the identified factors leading to decisions not to receive periodic doses were side effects (49.1%), waiting for further clinical studies (38.8%), and perceived no risk of contracting COVID-19 (17.7%). Regression analysis showed that income, educational attainment, and following the news about COVID-19 were predictors of participants' attitudes toward the periodic COVID-19 vaccine.

CONCLUSION

Acceptance of periodic doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in Jordan is low, and the public's attitude is generally negative. Health programs and educational interventions are needed to promote vaccine acceptance and positive attitudes.