Factors affecting influenza vaccination among attendees at a senior center

Influenza is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly. We questioned attendees at a Baltimore County senior center that offered influenza vaccination about the factors that influenced their decision to receive vaccination. Of the 43 responders, 37 (86%) stated they already had received vaccination in 1994 or were planning to be vaccinated. Vaccinated seniors were more likely than nonvaccinated seniors to believe that they were susceptible to influenza and they were more likely to have had influenza vaccination recommended to them by their physician. Vaccinated seniors also were more knowledgeable about the influenza vaccine. Physician recommendation appears to be an important factor in the decision by seniors to receive influenza vaccination.