title: Determinants of intention to get vaccinated against novel (pandemic) influenza A H1N1 among health-care workers in a nationwide survey.
abstract: A nationwide survey was conducted in October-November 2009 to investigate determinants of intention to get vaccinated against novel (pandemic) influenza A H1N1 among health-care workers (HCWs) in Greece. Out of 12,879 participating HCWs (response rate: 12.1%) working in 152 (40%) of 380 health-care facilities in Greece, 2814 (21.8%) reported that they intend to get vaccinated against novel influenza A N1H1. Intention rates to get vaccinated increased with age, male sex, being a physician, history of vaccination against seasonal influenza, training in use of personal protective equipment and hand hygiene, and training and involvement in the management of novel influenza cases. Main reasons for refusing vaccination were concerns about vaccine safety (43.1%), inadequate information about the vaccine (27.8%), and perception that they were not at risk for contracting novel influenza (10.7%). Given the low rates of acceptance of pandemic vaccination among HCWs, as found in this study, public health bodies should consider the implementation of a mandatory vaccination policy for HCWs for future pandemics, in order to prevent nosocomial transmission and to protect patients at high-risk for influenza-related complications and death, and to assure the continuity of the essential health-care infrastructure. New strategies should be explored to built safety perception towards influenza vaccines and enhance vaccination rates among HCWs.
authors.affiliation: Department for Interventions in Health-Care Facilities, Hellenic Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, 3-5 Agrafon Street, 15123 Athens, Greece. helen-maltezou@ath.forthnet.gr
authors.forename: Helena C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Maltezou
authors.forename: Xanthi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Dedoukou
authors.forename: Stavros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Patrinos
authors.forename: Antonios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maragos
authors.forename: Sophia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Poufta
authors.forename: Panagiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gargalianos
authors.forename: Marios
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lazanas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000276:immunology*; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D037141:Mandatory Programs; D032541:Mass Vaccination / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines