Determinants of influenza vaccine uptake and willingness to be vaccinated by pharmacists among the active adult population in Hungary: a cross-sectional exploratory study

Abstract

Background Many studies have addressed influenza vaccine uptake in risk-group populations (e.g. the elderly). However, it is also necessary to assess influenza vaccine uptake in the active adult population, since they are considered to be a high-transmitter group. In several countries pharmacists are involved in adult vaccination in order to increase uptake. This study therefore aimed to investigate the determinants of influenza vaccination uptake and examine the willingness to be vaccinated by pharmacists. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among Hungarian adults using a self-administered online questionnaire distributed via social media (Facebook). The questionnaire included five domains: demographics, vaccine uptake, factors that motivated or discouraged vaccination, knowledge and willingness of participants to accept pharmacists as influenza vaccine administrators. Descriptive statistics were applied and logistic regression was conducted to assess the possible determinants of vaccination uptake. Results Data from 1631 participants who completed the questionnaires were analysed. Almost 58% of respondents (944/1631) had occupational and/or health risk factors for influenza. Just over one-tenth (12.3%;200/1631) of participants were vaccinated during the 2017/18 influenza season, 15.4% (145/944) of whom had a risk factor for influenza. Approximately half of the participants (47.4%) believed that influenza vaccination can cause flu, and just over half of them (51.6%), were not knowledgeable about the safety of influenza vaccine ingredients. Logistic regression found that age, sex, health risk factor and knowledge on influenza/influenza vaccination were associated with influenza vaccination uptake (p < 0.05). The most frequently cited reason for having an influenza vaccination was self-protection (95.0%). The most common reason given for refusing the influenza vaccine was that the respondent stated they rarely had an infectious disease (67.7%). The number of participants who were willing to be vaccinated by pharmacists was two-times higher than the number of participants who were actually vaccinated during the 2017/18 influenza season. Conclusion Influenza vaccine uptake in the active adult population is low in Hungary. Public awareness and knowledge about influenza vaccination and influenza disease should be increased. The results also suggest a need to extend the role played by pharmacists in Hungary.

Psychological factors underpinning vaccine willingness in Israel, Japan and Hungary

“…This is consistent with cross-cultural evidence suggesting the more numerate are less suspect to COVID-19 misinformation 32 . In Japan and Hungary those with an underlying health risk were more willing to vaccinate, in line with previous surveys on influenza vaccination 50 . In competitive regression which included all three levels of factors in our ecological model, however, demographic factors, individual disease vulnerability, and personal or family experience with COVID-19 had only a small association with vaccine willingness.…”

“…In our sample only just over half (51%) of Japanese respondents indicated such willingness, higher than the 45% reported by the Imperial College COVID-19 tracker in January 2021 3 but lower than the 62% indicated by a cross-sectional survey also conducted that month 17 . In Hungary, the politicisation of the vaccine roll-out 7 , and disputes over the use of vaccines not approved by the EU 12 , contributed to high national rates of scepticism about efficacy 50 with only 31% of our national sample expressing willingness to vaccinate, and a further 21% uncertain.…”

“…Those vaccinated should be encouraged to inform close others, in order to emphasise the normative nature of this activity. Public health agencies need to reach people beyond remote media campaigns and be present where individuals shop and work 59 ; doctors have been widely reported to be important in addressing myths 39 with pharmacists in Hungary significant for encouraging influenza vaccination in that country 50 . Social media is of course likely to have an important role, with vaccine resistance highest amongst who obtain their information from such media 20 , although source of the media is important (e.g.…”

Psychological factors underpinning vaccine willingness in Israel, Japan and Hungary

“…Those vaccinated should be encouraged to inform close others, in order to emphasise the normative nature of this activity. Public health agencies need to reach people beyond remote media campaigns and be present where individuals shop and work 35 ; doctors have been widely reported to be important in addressing myths 36 with pharmacists in Hungary significant for encouraging influenza vaccination in that country 29 . Our analyses suggested that, despite some similarities in belief structure, there were distinctive beliefs in each culture important for understanding vaccine willingness.…”

Knowledge, Attitudes, Perceptions and Vaccination Acceptance/Hesitancy among the Community Pharmacists of Palermo’s Province, Italy: From Influenza to COVID-19

“…In several European countries (France, Ireland, Portugal, United Kingdom, Hungary, and Poland), pharmacies are actively involved during vaccination campaigns, especially for anti-influenza vaccine administration [ 17 , 18 ].…”