[Attitudes, perceptions and factors associated with influenza vaccination among primary healthcare professionals in...

The influenza vaccine is recommended for all healthcare workers to protect their own health and their patients. We aimed to describe the influenza vaccine coverage in primary healthcare professionals in the 2011-12 season in Navarre and to study the factors associated with this coverage.

An anonymous web-based survey was sent to primary healthcare professionals in 2012. The survey collected information on the influenza vaccination status for the four previous seasons, the attitudes towards and knowledge of the vaccine, and socio-demographic and professional data.

Of 1,083 professionals, 381 (35%) completed the survey: 54.3% nurses, 35.7% general practitioners and 10% paediatricians. In the 2011-12 season, 56.2% had received the influenza vaccine, without significant changes compared to previous seasons. The vaccination in any previous season was the main predictive factor for current vaccination (odds ratio (OR): 20.87; confidence interval (CI) 95%: 8.98-48.48). The vaccine coverage was higher among those living with persons with risk factors for influenza (OR: 1.72; CI 95%: 1.05-2.84), those worried about becoming ill (OR: 4.59; CI 95%: 2.30-9.15), or infecting their patients (OR: 6.29; IC 95%: 3.02-13.13). Participation in training activities on influenza or vaccines was not significantly associated with influenza vaccination.

Influenza vaccination coverage in primary healthcare professionals in Navarre is below desirable levels. A greater involvement of healthcare professionals is necessary in the influenza prevention strategy.