Physician attitudes towards influenza immunization and vaccine mandates.
OBJECTIVE
We surveyed physicians' opinions and acceptance of influenza immunization.


METHODS
A web-based survey was sent to all physicians in two academic departments during spring 2009.


RESULTS
227 (40.5%) physicians responded. Physicians who frequently cared for high-risk patients self-reported higher immunization rates than physicians with infrequent contact (P=0.0002). There were no significant differences in immunization rates between emergency medicine (EM) and internal medicine (IM), between those with and without children at home, nor by age group. A majority (84.6%) supported mandatory vaccination. IM physicians were more supportive of mandates than EM physicians (P<0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Self-reported immunization rates were high among study physicians. Acceptance of mandatory vaccination was substantial, but varied by specialty.
deSante
Jennifer E
JE
University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. deSante@mail.med.upenn.edu
Caplan
Arthur
A
Shofer
Frances
F
Behrman
Amy J
AJ
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010820:Physicians
D007252:Influenza Vaccines