Pandemic influenza vaccination: will the health care system take its own medicine?
OBJECTIVE
To identify factors associated with acceptance of the pandemic Influenza A H1N1 California 7/09 vaccine (pH1N1 vaccine) in rural hospital staff.


METHODS
Cross-sectional group administered survey.


METHODS
A 58-bed rural Queensland hospital, over a 10-day period starting five days after commencement of the pH1N1 vaccination program.


METHODS
Hospital staff and students.


METHODS
Intention to receive pandemic influenza vaccination, seasonal influenza vaccination.


RESULTS
The survey was completed by 252 staff and students (full response rate 76.1%, cooperation rate 98.4%). The majority of respondents had already decided whether or not to receive the pH1N1 vaccine: 111 (44.0%) intended to be vaccinated, 63 (25.0%) intended not to be vaccinated and 78 (31.0%) were undecided. Of 125 staff who had received the seasonal influenza vaccine, 86 (68.8%) intended to receive the pandemic vaccine. Respondents were less likely to state acceptance of the pH1N1 vaccine if they identified concern about vaccine adverse reactions (odds ratio (OR) 0.29; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.11-0.78), vaccine safety (OR 0.20; 95% CI, 0.09-0.46), vaccine efficacy (OR 0.20; 95% CI, 0.04-0.87) or perceived limitations of vaccine trials (OR 0.08; 95% CI, 0.01-0.99) as primary reasons discouraging pandemic influenza vaccination.


CONCLUSIONS
There is considerable concern among rural hospital staff regarding pH1N1 vaccine adverse reactions, safety, efficacy and the adequacy of clinical trials on its use. Education specifically addressing these concerns might increase pandemic vaccine acceptability.
Ferguson
Craig D
CD
School of Medicine & Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia. craig.ferguson@jcu.edu.au
Ferguson
Teagen E
TE
Golledge
Jonathan
J
McBride
William J H
WJ
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006780:Hospitals, Rural; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000276:immunology*; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010564:Personnel, Hospital
D007252:Influenza Vaccines