Student and faculty perceptions about mandatory influenza vaccinations on a health sciences campus.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the perceptions among faculty and health professional students regarding mandatory vaccination policies on a health sciences campus.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 296 faculty and 244 students completed surveys during Fall 2015.

METHODS

The online survey administered to individuals who received the influenza vaccine during the fall 2015 influenza vaccination clinic season included five items evaluating perceptions of employer mandatory vaccination requirements.

RESULTS

Chi-square analysis indicated that although faculty and students agree mandatory vaccinations in a health care environment are appropriate, faculty are more likely than students to get vaccinated in the absence of a mandate. Additionally, a small fraction of faculty would consider employment elsewhere when facing this mandate.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, faculty and students had favorable perceptions about mandatory influenza vaccine policies. Since students were less likely to be vaccinated in the absence of a mandate, education of students should be improved to support the importance of vaccinations in a health care environment.