Uptake, knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward seasonal influenza vaccination among community healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Chongqing Municipality, China: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Seasonal influenza is significantly associated with high morbidity and mortality. Vaccination of healthcare workers (HCWs), who represent a high-risk group, is a crucial preventive measure to reduce the spread of outbreaks and the severity of disease. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of influenza vaccine acceptance and uptake, as well as the determinants influencing these factors among HCWs in Chongqing, China.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional survey among community HCWs aged ≥ 22 years from July 15, 2021 to September 30, 2021. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge and key factors of HCWs regarding vaccination acceptance and recommendation to patients. Parametric and nonparametric statistical analyses were performed with the use of the Statistical Program for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0.

RESULT

The coverage rate for the seasonal influenza vaccination in Chongqing HCWs was 46.2% in the 2020-2021 seasons. HCWs who were females (OR: 2.10 95% CI: 1.54-2.85), had influenza experience (OR:1.98 95% 1.27-3.11), without influenza vaccination hesitancy (IVH) (OR:2.10 95% 1.58-2.79), and/or in a vaccination-promoted community (OR:6.50 95% 3.99-10.60) would be more likely to be vaccinated. HCWs who were vaccinated in 2020-2021 (OR: 8.48 95% 6.03-11.93), without IVH (OR: 4.15 95% 2.91-5.90), and/or in a vaccination-promoted community (OR: 2.08 95%1.37-3.16) would be more willing to be vaccinated. HCWs who were with knowledge scores ≥ 4 (OR: 2.58 95% 1.30-5.13), without IVH (OR: 2.33 95% 1.05-5.13), were in a vaccination-promoted community (OR: 2.65 95% 1.51-4.65), and/or with vaccination willingness (OR: 4.32 95% 2.16-8.64) would be more likely to recommend vaccination to patients.

CONCLUSION

The influenza vaccination rate among Chongqing HCWs increased in the 2020-2021 season but remained relatively low. It is critical to improve knowledge of influenza and its vaccine among HCWs, implement activities to moderate their IVH and expand the free vaccination policy, and interventional measures aiming to promote influenza vaccination.