title: Influenza vaccine hesitancy in a low-income community in central New York State.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Influenza vaccine (IV) coverage rates remain suboptimal among US adults. Socioeconomic disparities exist in IV coverage. We describe influenza vaccine attitudes among a low-income community in central New York.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adults attending a Salvation Army function during December 2012 were surveyed regarding IV including their intention to be immunized. On-site IV was offered to eligible participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 1041 participants included Whites (non-Hispanics), African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and multi-racial ethnicities. At time of enrollment, 386 (37%) participants had already received 2012-13 IV. Of the 655 unimmunized participants, 299 (46%) stated intent to receive IV, evenly distributed by age, gender, and ethnicity. Of the 312 participants who declined IV, 46% did so because of IV misperceptions. Of the 299 participants who intended to receive vaccine but had not yet done so, 284 (95%) stated the reason for delay was difficult access to vaccine. Intent to receive vaccine was strongly associated with the belief that IV is safe and/or effective (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IV misperceptions regarding IV efficacy and safety result in suboptimal vaccine uptake in this low-income community, regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pediatrics; State University of New York; Upstate Medical University; Syracuse, NY USA.
authors.forename: Manika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Suryadevara
authors.forename: Cynthia A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Bonville
authors.forename: Paula F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Rosenbaum
authors.forename: Joseph B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Domachowske
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009518:New York; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014611:Vaccination / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines
keywords: influenza; low-income community; vaccine attitudes; vaccine hesitancy; vaccine misperceptions