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. 2013 May;7(3):383-92.
doi: 10.1111/j.1750-2659.2012.00374.x. Epub 2012 May 9.

Socio-demographic differences in opinions about 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) and seasonal influenza vaccination and disease among adults during the 2009-2010 influenza season

Tammy A Santibanez  1 , James A Singleton, Scott S Santibanez, Pascale Wortley, Beth P Bell
Affiliations

Socio-demographic differences in opinions about 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) and seasonal influenza vaccination and disease among adults during the 2009-2010 influenza season

Tammy A Santibanez et al. Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2013 May.

Abstract

Background: In April 2009, a novel influenza A virus emerged in the United States. By the end of July, influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent (2009 H1N1) vaccine had been developed, licensed, and recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Initial target groups for vaccination were identified and the first vaccine was publicly available in early October 2009.

Objective: This study examines socio-demographic differences in opinions about 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) (pH1N1) and seasonal influenza disease and vaccines and the association with receipt of influenza vaccinations during the 2009-2010 influenza season. Changes in opinions over the course of the pH1N1 pandemic were also examined.

Methods: Data from the 2009 National H1N1 Flu Survey (NHFS) were analyzed. The NHFS was a CDC-sponsored telephone survey initiated in response to the 2009 pH1N1 pandemic to obtain weekly within-season estimates of vaccination coverage, opinions, and other information.

Results: Opinions about influenza vaccine and disease varied significantly by race/ethnicity, income, and education level. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, adjusted 2009 H1N1 vaccination coverage was most strongly associated with opinions about the effectiveness of the vaccine and personal risk of disease, varying from 7 to 11% among adults who believed the vaccine to have low effectiveness and themselves at low risk of influenza, to 50-53% among those who thought vaccine effectiveness to be high and themselves at high risk of influenza.

Conclusion: Improving communication about personal risk and the effectiveness of influenza vaccines may improve vaccination coverage. The findings of difference in opinions could be used to target communication.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Changes in opinion ratings over the months of the survey, National 2009 H1N1 Flu Survey (NHFS), October 2009–June 2010 interviews, United States.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Association of belief variables with influenza vaccination, National 2009 H1N1 Flu Survey (NHFS), January–June 2010 interviews, United States.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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