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. 2013 Dec;9(12):2603-12.
doi: 10.4161/hv.26036. Epub 2013 Aug 16.

Predictive factors associated with the acceptance of pandemic and seasonal influenza vaccination in health care workers and students in Tuscany, Central Italy

Guglielmo Bonaccorsi  1 , Chiara Lorini  2 , Francesca Santomauro  2 , Silvia Guarducci  3 , Elettra Pellegrino  3 , Francesco Puggelli  3 , Marta Balli  3 , Paolo Bonanni  2
Affiliations

Predictive factors associated with the acceptance of pandemic and seasonal influenza vaccination in health care workers and students in Tuscany, Central Italy

Guglielmo Bonaccorsi et al. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2013 Dec.

Abstract

Assessing the beliefs and attitudes of Health Care Workers (HCW) to influenza and influenza vaccination can be useful in overcoming low compliance rates. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the opinion of HCW and students regarding influenza, influenza vaccine and the factors associated with vaccination compliance. A survey was conducted between October 2010 and April 2011 in the Florence metropolitan area. A questionnaire was administered to HCW in three local healthcare units and at Careggi University Teaching Hospital. Students matriculating in health degree programs at Florence University were also surveyed. The coverage with vaccination against seasonal and pandemic influenza is generally low, and it is lower in students than in HCW (12.5% vs 15% for the seasonal vaccination, 8.5% vs 18% for the pandemic vaccination). Individuals comply with vaccination offer mainly to protect themselves and their contacts. Individuals not receiving vaccination did not consider themselves at risk, had never been vaccinated before or believed that pandemic influenza was not a public health concern. Physicians had the highest compliance to vaccination and women were less frequently vaccinated than men. HCW do not appear to perceive their possible influenza infections as a risk for patients: HCW receive vaccination mainly as a form of personal protection. Low compliance to vaccination is determined by various factors and therefore requires a multi-faceted strategy of response. This should include short-term actions to overcome organizational barriers, in addition to long-term interventions to raise HCW's level of knowledge about influenza and influenza vaccination.

Keywords: H1N1; attitudes towards vaccine; health care workers; influenza; pandemic; vaccine policy.

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Figures

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Figure 1. Reasons reported for the uptake of seasonal or pandemic influenza vaccine in 2009 (the sum of the percentage is over 100% since it was possible to give more than one answer).
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Figure 2. Reasons reported for non-acceptance of seasonal or pandemic influenza vaccine in 2009 (*Chi2 test p < 0.05).
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Figure 3. Flowchart of the sampling procedure.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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