Seasonal Influenza Vaccination in People who Have Contact With Birds

Abstract

Background: Following the 2021-2022 avian influenza panzootic in birds and wildlife, seasonal influenza vaccines have been advised to occupationally high-risk groups to reduce the likelihood of coincidental infection in humans with both seasonal and avian influenza A viruses.

Methods: We developed and launched a questionnaire aimed at poultry workers and people in direct contact with birds to understand awareness and uptake of seasonal influenza vaccination. We collected responses in-person at an agricultural trade event and online.

Findings: The questionnaire was completed by 225 individuals from across the United Kingdom. The most commonly reported reason for vaccination was protection against seasonal influenza (82%, 63 of 77). Nearly, all individuals aged ≥65 years reported that the vaccine was recommended for them (24 of 28). There was no difference in recommendation for occupational groups. Most vaccinees were aged over 60 years (60%, 29 of 48); however, coverage was lower than expected in the ≥ 65 target group. Vaccination in those exposed to avian influenza was low (32%, 9 of 28). Not having enough time was the single most reported reason for not getting vaccinated in those intending to. Individuals unintending to be vaccinated perceived natural immunity to be better than receiving the vaccine as well as lack of awareness and time.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that targeted campaigns in occupationally exposed groups need to be undertaken to improve communication of information and access to vaccine clinics. We recommend co-production methods to optimise this public health strategy for increased knowledge and future vaccine uptake.

Keywords: influenza; public health policy; seasonal influenza; vaccination; zoonotic influenza.

FIGURE 1

Distribution of respondent age, gender and occupation (a) Age distribution of respondents grouped by gender—female in red and male in blue (note one ‘Other’ and one NA response not plotted). (b) Top 4 occupations reported (occupations with fewer than five observations grouped with ‘Other’).

FIGURE 2

Seasonal influenza vaccine recommendation and uptake. (a) Proportion self‐reporting recommendation to receive seasonal influenza vaccine by age. (b) Proportion self‐reporting recommendation to receive seasonal influenza vaccine by occupation. (c) Proportion of individuals receiving seasonal influenza vaccine in the last 12 months by age. (d) Proportion of individuals receiving seasonal influenza vaccine in the last 12 months by eligibility/risk group. Those considered ‘at‐risk’ reported being exposed to avian influenza virus (AIV). Error bars represent 95% confidence intervals for single proportion.

FIGURE 3

Reasons for seasonal influenza vaccination. (a) reasons for receiving the seasonal influenza vaccine among vaccinated individuals, (b) reasons preventing an individual from becoming vaccinated among individuals intending to be vaccinated, (c) factors influencing indecision or decision to not be vaccinated among those not intending to be vaccinated.