Influenza vaccination in the time of COVID-19: A national U.S. survey of adults

Sturm, Lynne; Kasting, Monica L.; Head, Katharine J.; Hartsock, Jane A.; Zimet, Gregory D.

doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.03.003

Cited by 32 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Indeed, it has been observed that the perceived risk for the respondents to pass the influenza virus on to patients at their healthcare facility and having indicated that influenza and COVID-19 share similar symptoms as a reason to be vaccinated were the most significant predictors for having received the influenza vaccine in the current season among the HCWs who had not received the vaccination in the latest season. This finding is consistent with the results of several previous studies, although most used very different methodologies and populations, showing an increase in those who were very likely to accept vaccination for influenza [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ] and of actual behavior [ 12 , 18 , 19 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Characteristics of Healthcare Workers Vaccinated against Influenza in the Era of COVID-19

et al. 2021

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Understanding the potential impact of COVID-19 on receiving influenza vaccination among healthcare workers (HCWs) is of utmost importance. The purposes of the present cross-sectional study were to describe the characteristics and to explore the predictors of receiving influenza vaccination among a large cohort of Italian HCWs in hospital settings. Information was collected through an anonymous questionnaire from December 2020 through January 2021. General and practice characteristics, perceived risk of seasonal influenza, attitudes towards efficacy and safety of influenza vaccination, and reasons behind the decision to be vaccinated against influenza were explored. Fewer than half (46.2%) of HCWs agreed that influenza is a serious illness and perceived the risk of getting infected with influenza, and concerns about the safety of the vaccination were significant positive predictors. Fewer than half of the respondents were not concerned at all about the efficacy (48.6%) and safety (49.8%) of influenza vaccination, and 51.9% reported that they have not received a seasonal influenza vaccine during the previous season. The most mentioned reason for receiving the influenza vaccine in the current season was that influenza and COVID-19 share some similar symptoms. Study results will aid policymakers in developing vaccination education programs, promotion of trust to address negative misconceptions, and to achieve future high coverage among this high-risk group.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Characteristics of Healthcare Workers Vaccinated against Influenza in the Era of COVID-19

et al. 2021

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“…Another benefit is a reduction in the prevalence of flu in the community, which can reduce the need for doctors' visits, the risk of developing fever and respiratory symptoms, and thus the risk of being quarantined. 20 Unlike the study conducted in Italy by Giorgia Della Polla and colleagues 21 and other studies involving a variety of methodologies and populations [21][22][23][24][25] and showed an increased likelihood of vaccination during the current pandemic, in our study, 59% of HCPs received an influenza vaccine in the year 2020. This rate was slightly higher as compared with the mean adherence of HCPs to influenza vaccination reported by Mereckiene et al 26 and Di Pumpo et al 27 (30% and 24.19%, respectively) and within the mean adherence range (22-83%) reported in a systematic review by Bish et al 28 but lower than expected in 2020 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 74%

Trends, Uptake, and Predictors of Influenza Vaccination Among Healthcare Practitioners During the COVID-19 Pandemic Flu Season (2020) and the Following Season (2021) in Saudi Arabia

Alkathlan¹,

Khalil²,

Alhemaidani³

et al. 2021

JMDH

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Background Healthcare practitioners (HCPs) are at high risk of influenza. Seasonal influenza vaccines can reduce influenza-associated morbidity in healthcare settings, but despite mandatory influenza vaccination in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the vaccination uptake rate among HCPs is below expectations. This study investigated vaccination trends from 2017 to 2020 to identify factors affecting vaccination among HCPs during the COVID-19 pandemic flu and subsequent seasons. Methods Cross-sectional study among HCPs was conducted in January 2021. A structured questionnaire was shared via social media. Vaccine uptake predictors were identified using descriptive statistics and logistic regression models (p-value 0.05). Results A total of 424 HCPs (118 physicians and 306 nurses) completed the questionnaire. Vaccine uptake increased from 2017 to 2019 (45% to 52% to 62%) but fell (to 59%) during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic flu season. Multivariable analysis indicated participants >40 years old (AOR 3.09, 95% CI 1.64–5.83), female (AOR 1.74, 95% CI 1.13–2.67), non-Saudi (AOR 2.62, 95% CI 1.72–4.01), nurses (AOR 2.70, 95% CI 1.75–4.17), and who possessed accurate knowledge of the flu vaccine efficacy duration (AOR 3.04, 95% CI 1.87–4.94) were more likely to have received the vaccine. However, 79% of HCPs declared their intention to be vaccinated in the 2021 flu season, with participants >40 years old, female (AOR 2.25, 95% CI 1.38–3.68), non-Saudi (AOR 3.79, 95% CI 2.34–6.16), or nurses (AOR 2.94, 95% CI 1.82–4.76) more likely to do so. Conclusion Influenza vaccination uptake declined among HCPs during the 2020 flu season compared with the previous season but is expected to increase in the upcoming 2021 season. Nevertheless, the findings are encouraging and indicate increased willingness of HCPs to become vaccinated in the upcoming 2021 season, but coverage could be further increased by policymakers via a comprehensive plan focusing particularly on younger HCPs, Saudis, males, and physicians.

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“…A survey-based study performed in May 2020 quantified flu vaccine intention early on in the COVID-19 pandemic and suggested that the public health situation would encourage previous non-vaccinators to reassess their behavior and consider getting a flu vaccine [ 16 ]. Our study looks at this intention and self-reported vaccine uptake during the period of flu vaccination, providing empirical data for vaccination behavior and supporting the predictions of this previous study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influenza Vaccination During COVID-19 in a Rural Community: A Cross-sectional Survey

Marcus

Kolade

2021

J Community Health

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Vaccination behavior is an informative metric for assessing flu seasons and is especially important to understand for the 2020–2021 flu season, which coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to estimate flu vaccine behavior and assess vaccine perceptions during the pandemic season. Using a cross-sectional descriptive study design, we conducted an online survey to assess vaccination behavior and perceptions of both COVID-19 and the flu. Patients were identified as recently seen by providers in an academic internal medicine practice (n = 827) and surveys were distributed as messages in the Epic electronic medical record system. We found that 88.3% of respondents (188/206) had received their flu vaccination for the season at the time of their survey response in December 2020–February 2021. Of those that had not yet received the flu vaccine, only 13.6% indicated they planned on getting one. 12.5% of respondents said they had changed their flu vaccine plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Looking at differences from past season’s behavior, more individuals switched to getting the flu vaccine than those that switched to not getting the vaccine this season. The most frequently cited reasons for not receiving the flu vaccination were concerns about side effects and not being in a priority group. Changes in flu vaccination behavior from previous seasons represent a net positive in the direction of vaccine acceptance. Barriers to vaccination were identified and results from this study provide more information on vaccine perceptions, beliefs, and behavior, which can benefit future vaccination programs.

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Influenza vaccination in the time of COVID-19: A national U.S. survey of adults

Cited by 32 publications

References 21 publications

Characteristics of Healthcare Workers Vaccinated against Influenza in the Era of COVID-19

Characteristics of Healthcare Workers Vaccinated against Influenza in the Era of COVID-19

Trends, Uptake, and Predictors of Influenza Vaccination Among Healthcare Practitioners During the COVID-19 Pandemic Flu Season (2020) and the Following Season (2021) in Saudi Arabia

Influenza Vaccination During COVID-19 in a Rural Community: A Cross-sectional Survey

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