title: Influenza vaccination coverage among school employees: assessing knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Influenza can spread among students, teachers, and staff in school settings. Vaccination is the most effective method to prevent influenza. We determined 2012-2013 influenza vaccination coverage among school employees, assessed knowledge and attitudes regarding the vaccine, and determined factors associated with vaccine receipt.
  
  
  METHODS
  We surveyed 412 (49%) of 841 employees at 1 suburban Ohio school district in March 2013. The Web-based survey assessed personal and work characteristics, vaccine receipt, and knowledge and attitudes regarding the vaccine.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 238 (58%) respondents reported getting the 2012-2013 influenza vaccine. The most common reason for getting the vaccine was to protect oneself or one's family (87%). Beliefs that the vaccine was not needed (32%) or that it was not effective (21%) were the most common reasons for not getting it. Factors independently associated with vaccine receipt were having positive attitudes toward the vaccine, feeling external pressure to get it, and feeling personal control over whether to get it.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Influenza vaccine coverage among school employees should be improved. Messages encouraging school employees to get the vaccine should address misconceptions about the vaccine. Employers should use methods to maximize employee vaccination as part of a comprehensive influenza prevention program.
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 4676 Columbia Parkway, R-10, Cincinnati, OH 45226. mdeperio@cdc.gov.
authors.forename: Marie A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: de Perio
authors.forename: Douglas M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Wiegand
authors.forename: Scott E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Brueck
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009820:Ohio; D012574:Schools / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017132:Workplace / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines
keywords: influenza; occupational health; vaccination; vaccine