Factors contributing to declination of annual influenza vaccination by healthcare workers caring for cancer patients: An Australian experience

Authors:

• Surtees, T.C.
• Teh, B.W.
• Slavin, M.A.
• Worth, L.J.

Details:

Vaccine, Volume 36, Issue 14, 2018-03-27

Article Link: Click here

Healthcare workers (HCWs) at an Australian cancer centre were evaluated using a voluntary declination form program to determine factors contributing to declination of annual influenza vaccination. Overall, 1835/2041 HCWs (89.9%) completed a consent or declination form; 1783 were vaccinated and 52 declined. Staff roles with minimal patient contact were significantly associated with lower vaccine uptake (adjusted odds ratio 0.48, 95% confidence interval 0.23–0.99). Reasons for vaccine refusal included personal choice (41%), previous side-effect/s (23.1%), and medical reasons (23.1%). Of these, a large proportion may not be amenable to intervention, and this must be considered in setting threshold targets for future campaigns.