title: Attitudes toward vaccination for pandemic H1N1 and seasonal influenza in patients with hematologic malignancies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with hematologic malignancies are at increased risk of influenza and its complications. Despite current health recommendations and evidence favoring influenza vaccination, vaccination rates remain low in cancer patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine which factors influenced vaccination rates.
  
  
  METHODS
  During the 2009-2010 pandemic H1N1 and seasonal influenza season, we surveyed patients with hematologic malignancies in a Canadian cancer center. Of the patients participating in our study (n = 129), 66% and 57% received the H1N1 pandemic influenza and seasonal influenza vaccines, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A number of reasons for vaccination refusal were reported, most relating to general skepticism about the safety and efficacy of vaccination. Physician advice was also a factor influencing vaccination rates in patients. The vaccination rate for seasonal influenza was 39% in patients < 65 years old, significantly lower than the rate of 73% reported for patients aged > or = 65 years (P < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Future education programs should target younger patient populations and health-care workers, focusing on vaccine safety and efficacy in the high-risk cancer population.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine and London Health Sciences Centre, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Benjamin H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Chin-Yee
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Monkman
authors.forename: Zafar
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hussain
authors.forename: Leonard A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Minuk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001290:Attitude; D005260:Female; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000276:immunology*; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058873:Pandemics; D016312:Treatment Refusal; D014611:Vaccination / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines