Perception, knowledge and attitude towards influenza vaccine during COVID-19 pandemic in Jordanian population

Abstract

Introduction Seasonal influenza is considered as one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This needs solutions to decrease burdens on the healthcare systems especially during the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Population knowledge, perception and attitude towards influenza vaccine during COVID-19 pandemic could have a positive impact to decrease mortality, morbidity and burdens on the healthcare system. This study focuses on investigating knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of Jordanian adults towards influenza vaccine during COVID-19 pandemic Methods This cross-sectional study recruited 1112 randomly selected Jordanian adults. A four-section questionnaire was designed and included questions about the demographic and clinical characteristics, perception about influenza, attitudes towards the role of influenza vaccine during COVID-19 pandemic and the factors that affect respondents’ practice towards influenza vaccine. Results 73.1% population were not vaccinated, and most of them were not willing to be vaccinated during COVID-19 pandemic. 55% of the population thought that influenza vaccine decreases the burdens on Jordanian healthcare system. Major refusal factor to be vaccinated was not considering influenza a threat (41.3%). People mostly got their information about influenza vaccine form the social media (64.3%) and there was neglected role of the pharmacist and physician. Conclusions The reinforcement of the role of pharmacists, physician and media to educate people about importance of influenza vaccine during COVID-19 is needed. Furthermore, campaigns should be conducted to increase the population awareness towards influenza vaccine uptake and its importance.

Associations between COVID-19 Vaccination and Behavioural Intention to Receive Seasonal Influenza Vaccination among Chinese Older Adults: A Population-Based Random Telephone Survey

“…Studies showed that people with a co-infection of seasonal influenza and COVID-19 had much higher risk of mortality than those with neither influenza nor COVID-19 or with COVID-19 only [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. It is suggested that SIV could help reduce the risk and severity of COVID-19 [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]. In addition, SIV has been considered as a protective factor against cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with COVID-19 [ 18 ].…”

Evaluating Influenza Vaccination Practices among COPD Patients

“…A 2019 study concluded that older adults in Jordan exhibited a negative attitude toward the vaccine [ 10 ]. Additionally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Jordanians were found to have low intentions of receiving the influenza vaccine, reaching only 27.7% [ 11 ].…”

Factors Affecting Influenza Vaccination Uptake and Attitudes among Lebanese University Students: The Impact of Vaccination Promotional Programs and COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Social media platforms may have the potential to publicize influenza vaccine information, and may encourage users to get vaccinated annually. Another factor that may explain the higher influenza vaccination rate in the 2021–2022 study may be the ability of the COVID-19 pandemic to renew awareness of respiratory infections, primarily influenza, an observation highly probable and widely reported in the literature [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ], with popuar perceptions of the influenza vaccine during COVID-19 pandemic having positive impact on the influenza vaccine [ 29 ]. Specifically, the university health committee, established early during COVID-19, may have exercised a specific influence on university students by extensive awareness campaigns on COVID-19 [ 30 ], but this remains inconclusive and cannot be directly assessed using our results.…”