Influenza Vaccination Uptake in the General Italian Population during the 2020–2021 Flu Season: Data from the EPICOVID-19 Online Web-Based Survey

Abstract

To assess influenza vaccine uptake during the 2020/2021 flu season and compare it with that of the 2019/2020 flu season among respondents to the second phase of the web-based EPICOVID-19 survey, we performed an observational web-based nationwide online survey (January–February 2021) in which respondents to the first survey (April–June 2020) were contacted and asked to complete a second questionnaire. Factors associated with vaccine uptake in the 2020/2021 flu season were assessed by applying a multivariable multinomial logistic regression model. Out of the 198,822 respondents to the first survey, 41,473 (20.9%) agreed to fill out the follow-up questionnaire; of these, 8339 (20.1%) were vaccinated only during the 2020/2021 season, 8828 (21.3%) were vaccinated during both seasons and 22,710 (54.8%) were vaccinated in neither season. Educational level (medium (aOR 1.33 95%CI 1.13–1.56) and high (aOR 1.69 95%CI 1.44–1.97) vs. low) and socio-economic deprivation according to SES scoring (1 point aOR 0.83 (95%CI 0.78–0.89), 2 aOR 0.68 (95%CI 0.60–0.77) points or ≥3 points aOR 0.42 (95%CI 0.28–0.45) vs. 0 points) were found to be associated with flu vaccine uptake. Our study shows that social determinants seemed to affect flu vaccination uptake and identifies specific categories of the population to target during future influenza vaccination campaigns.

Influenza Vaccination and COVID-19 Outcomes in People Older than 50 Years: Data from the Observational Longitudinal SHARE Study

“…Moreover, COVID-19 can present with symptoms similar to influenza, one of the most common seasonal viral infections [5,6]. The co-existence of these two conditions may result in a more severe clinical course, and a higher risk of complications or fatal outcomes, as compared to having either one of the conditions [5,7]. Furthermore, people who are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 and seasonal influenza in terms of unfavorable prognosis share similar characteristics: frail individuals such as older persons and persons with co-morbidities [8,9].…”

Attitudes of Healthcare Workers toward Influenza Vaccination in the COVID-19 Era

“…Data on HCWs' flu vaccination coverage are not available in Italy for the whole country; however, single local studies report coverage rates of 5-34% in different regions and hospitals [7][8][9][10][11][12]. Several factors affect flu vaccine uptake in Italy: social determinants, gaps in knowledge on infection risk and vaccine safety and efficacy, and inadequate communication from the relevant public health institutions during vaccination campaigns [13][14][15][16][17]. Some studies show that the main reasons for non-vaccination among HCWs are concerns about possible side effects, such as allergic reactions or infection, doubts of vaccine efficacy, beliefs of not being at risk of infection, or considering influenza a mild disease [15][16][17].…”

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward seasonal influenza vaccine among college students under the COVID‐19 pandemic in South China

“…1 The IVs can be transmitted through respiratory droplets, aerosol, and close contact with infected individuals and may trigger a series of severe illness and even lead to death, studies have proved that the vaccine can effectively decrease the risk of infection, reduce the severity, and the risk of death after infection. [1][2][3][4] Nowadays, the pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the control measures of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had a strong impact on the epidemic of IVs. [5][6][7][8] However, vaccination coverage remains low in developing countries, 3 which is far lower than 75% of the target populations recommended by World Health Organization (WHO).…”

“… 1 The IVs can be transmitted through respiratory droplets, aerosol, and close contact with infected individuals and may trigger a series of severe illness and even lead to death, studies have proved that the vaccine can effectively decrease the risk of infection, reduce the severity, and the risk of death after infection. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 Nowadays, the pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) and the control measures of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) had a strong impact on the epidemic of IVs. 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 …”