title: Increasing influenza vaccination in New York City taxi drivers: A community driven approach.
abstract: The Healthy People 2020 influenza immunization goal is 80% for non-institutionalized adults 18-64. However, vaccination rates remain stubbornly low. Culturally tailored approaches to communities with poor vaccine uptake are necessary. Taxi drivers are at risk for influenza and its complications, could serve as vectors for influenza infection, and could be an effective vaccination target to enhance herd immunity of the urban population. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study related to influenza vaccination among taxi drivers. The NYC Taxi Network surveyed a convenience sample of 53 taxi drivers to understand vaccination barriers. Only 17% had been vaccinated. Results informed a pilot tailored workplace intervention, which resulted in vaccinations for 44% of unvaccinated drivers. The study revealed that older drivers were more likely to be vaccinated than younger drivers, while the most common barrier to immunization was that drivers thought vaccination was 'not necessary'.
authors: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 300 East 66th Street, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10065, USA. Electronic address: ganyf@mskcc.org.
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Gany
authors: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 300 East 66th Street, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10065, USA. Electronic address: raumurthy@gmail.com.
authors: Rohini
authors: R
authors: Rau-Murthy
authors: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 300 East 66th Street, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10065, USA. Electronic address: mujawarm@mskcc.org.
authors: Imran
authors: I
authors: Mujawar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001336:Automobiles; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D040361:Healthy People Programs; D006801:Humans; D032521:Immunity, Herd; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population; D014611:Vaccination / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines
keywords: Community; Herd immunity; Influenza vaccination; Taxi driver; Vaccination barrier; Workplace intervention