Influenza vaccine uptake and attitudes of healthcare workers in Ireland

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Abstract
Background: Influenza vaccination uptake by Irish healthcare workers remains sub-optimal despite local initiatives to increase it. Aims: To investigate hospital workers' attitudes to influenza vaccination and how this influenced their decisions about vaccination. Methods: A questionnaire survey of Irish hospital workers, measuring uptake of and attitudes to influenza vaccination. Results: There were 747 responders, of whom 361 (48%) reported having received influenza vaccination. Attitudes predicting vaccination uptake included a belief that vaccination would protect family members (P < 0.0005, CI 1.191–1.739), a perception of susceptibility to ’flu (P < 0.0005, CI 1.182–1.685), a belief that all healthcare workers should be vaccinated (P < 0.005, CI 1.153–1.783), perceived ease of getting ’flu vaccination at work (P < 0.0005, CI 1.851–2.842) and encouragement by line managers (P < 0.05, CI 1.018–1.400). Attitudes negatively associated with vaccination uptake included fear of needles (P < 0.05, CI 0.663–0.985) and a belief that vaccination would cause illness (P < 0.0005, CI 0.436–0.647). Medical staff were significantly more likely to be vaccinated. Healthcare students were least likely to be vaccinated (P < 0.0005). Conclusion: Addressing specific barriers to influenza vaccination in healthcare workers may improve uptake.

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