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J Infect Prev
. 2020 May;21(3):115-118.
doi: 10.1177/1757177420908000. Epub 2020 May 4.
Understanding Why Healthcare Workers Refuse the Flu Vaccine
Mariano Jose Ferragut 1 , Deborah Barry 1 , Martina Cummins 1
Affiliations
- PMID: 32494295
- PMCID: PMC7238696 (available on 2021-05-01)
- DOI: 10.1177/1757177420908000
Abstract
Background: Vaccination is one of the most effective interventions used to reduce infections. Nonetheless, concerns and misconceptions about vaccines have resulted in an increased rate of refusal of vaccination among healthcare workers (HCWs) and within the general population.
Aim/ objective: To understand the factors that underlie vaccination-refusal.
Methods: A questionnaire was given to the HCWs in the inpatient area of an acute London hospital during May 2019. The sample was one of convenience, i.e. the wards where the principle investigator covered. All staff were approached: 306 in total completed the questionnaire.
Findings/results: In total, 212 (69.28%) healthcare professionals had the flu vaccine during the 2018-2019 campaign, 94 (30.62%) did not have the flu vaccine and 37 (39.36%) of the HCWs that did not receive the flu vaccine reported they had previously a bad reaction following administration of the vaccine.
Discussion: This report will provide the Trust and other healthcare settings with information integrating the disconnection between misconceptions and vaccination knowledge, which may inform practical interventions to address the challenges of vaccination in future campaigns. Increasing HCWs' knowledge of flu vaccine side effects could address this and may increase rates of vaccination compliance.
Keywords: Influenza; anti-vaccine; flu; healthcare workers; infection control; vaccination.