Analysis of Attitudes and Practices Towards the Influenza Vaccine in High-Risk Adults in Poland

Overview

Journal Vaccines (Basel)

Date 2024 Mar 28

PMID 38543975

Authors

Dorota Kopciuch

Karolina Hoffmann

Krzysztof Kus

Agnieszka Koligat-Seitz

Piotr Ratajczak

Elzbieta Nowakowska

Anna Paczkowska

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

This study aimed to understand Poles' attitudes and beliefs towards influenza vaccinations in the flu season of 2022-2023, especially among individuals at risk of flu complications. The cross-sectional survey-based study was carried out on a sample of 810 respondents. The questionnaire was disseminated electronically using social media and e-mail. The majority of respondents (71%) could identify "high-risk groups" recommended for influenza vaccination, and 52.01% of respondents reported receiving influenza vaccination at some point in the past, with 32.12% receiving it in the 2022-2023 flu season and 41.09% in the 2021-2022 season. The majority of respondents declaring acceptance of the vaccine for the 2022-2023 season were in the high-risk group. Only 17.28% of respondents declared receiving both influenza and SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in the 2022-2023 season, with the vast majority being respondents from the "high-risk group" ( < 0.0001). Only 26.12% of respondents declared their intention to continue influenza vaccination in the future. Of those expressing the intention to get vaccinated against the influenza virus in future seasons, 46.79% were from the "high-risk group" ( = 0.0087). Results suggest the need for further interaction and education with healthcare providers and targeted informational efforts for at-risk groups regarding the benefits of flu vaccination.

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