IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v20y2023i13p6247-d1182166.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Nationwide Survey on Seasonal Influenza Vaccination among Health Care Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Greece: Determinants, Barriers and Peculiarities

Author

Listed:
  • Ioanna Avakian

    (Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 22 12 Papakyriazi Street, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Katerina Dadouli

    (Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 22 12 Papakyriazi Street, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Lemonia Anagnostopoulos

    (Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 22 12 Papakyriazi Street, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Konstantinos Fotiadis

    (Hmathia General Hospital, Veria Hospital Unit, 59132 Veria, Greece)

  • Athanasios Lianos

    (Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 22 12 Papakyriazi Street, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Paraskevi Mina

    (Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 22 12 Papakyriazi Street, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Christos Hadjichristodoulou

    (Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 22 12 Papakyriazi Street, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Varvara A. Mouchtouri

    (Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 22 12 Papakyriazi Street, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

Abstract

Background: Seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) of health care workers (HCWs) is critical in protecting patients’ and HCWs’ health. Our objective was to examine HCW SIV coverage and related determinants. Methods and Materials: A nationwide cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among HCWs during the first half of 2021. The questionnaire (online or paper-based) included knowledge, attitude and practice questions regarding SIV, COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination. Results: Out of 6500 questionnaires administered, 2592 were completed (response rate: 39.9%). SIV coverage reached 69.4% (95% CI: 67.6–71.2%) based on self-reported vaccine uptake. Nurses and administrative staff were found to be more skeptical and have lower vaccine acceptance in comparison with physicians (aOR = 0.66 and aQR = 0.59, respectively). Other SIV hesitancy risk factors included working in secondary health care (aOR = 0.59) and working in northern Greece (aQR = 0.66). Determinants for SIV acceptance included being or living with high-risk people due to medical history (aOR = 1.84 and aOR = 1.46, respectively), positive attitudes towards routine vaccinations (aOR: 1.86), knowledge about COVID-19 vaccines (aOR = 1.53) and COVID-19 vaccine uptake (aOR = 3.45). The primary reason for SIV refusal was low risk perception (58.7%). Conclusions: SIV coverage (2020/2021) was relatively high, but remained far from formal recommendations. Specific occupational groups were skeptical and low-risk perception was the main reason for vaccine refusal. Targeted policies should be developed and enforced.

Suggested Citation

  • Ioanna Avakian & Katerina Dadouli & Lemonia Anagnostopoulos & Konstantinos Fotiadis & Athanasios Lianos & Paraskevi Mina & Christos Hadjichristodoulou & Varvara A. Mouchtouri, 2023. "Nationwide Survey on Seasonal Influenza Vaccination among Health Care Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Greece: Determinants, Barriers and Peculiarities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(13), pages 1-13, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:13:p:6247-:d:1182166
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/13/6247/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/13/6247/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Maria Michela Gianino & Gianfranco Politano & Antonio Scarmozzino & Michela Stillo & Viola Amprino & Stefano Di Carlo & Alfredo Benso & Carla Maria Zotti, 2019. "Cost of Sickness Absenteeism during Seasonal Influenza Outbreaks of Medium Intensity among Health Care Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-11, March.
    2. Wim Leo Celina Van Hooste & Micheline Bekaert, 2019. "To Be or Not to Be Vaccinated? The Ethical Aspects of Influenza Vaccination among Healthcare Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-10, October.
    3. Chisato Imai & Michiko Toizumi & Lisa Hall & Stephen Lambert & Kate Halton & Katharina Merollini, 2018. "A systematic review and meta-analysis of the direct epidemiological and economic effects of seasonal influenza vaccination on healthcare workers," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(6), pages 1-16, June.
    4. Konstantinos Fotiadis & Katerina Dadouli & Ioanna Avakian & Zacharoula Bogogiannidou & Varvara A. Mouchtouri & Konstantinos Gogosis & Matthaios Speletas & Michalis Koureas & Eleni Lagoudaki & Sofia Ko, 2021. "Factors Associated with Healthcare Workers’ (HCWs) Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccinations and Indications of a Role Model towards Population Vaccinations from a Cross-Sectional Survey in Greece, May 2021," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-12, October.
    5. Sophia C. Mylonakis & Evangelia K. Mylona & Markos Kalligeros & Fadi Shehadeh & Philip A. Chan & Eleftherios Mylonakis, 2022. "How Comorbidities Affect Hospitalization from Influenza in the Pediatric Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-9, February.
    6. Michał Jacek Jędrzejek & Agnieszka Mastalerz-Migas, 2022. "Influenza Vaccination Coverage, Motivators for, and Barriers to Influenza Vaccination among Healthcare Workers in Wroclaw, Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-10, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Robert Susło & Piotr Pobrotyn & Lidia Brydak & Łukasz Rypicz & Urszula Grata-Borkowska & Jarosław Drobnik, 2021. "Seasonal Influenza and Low Flu Vaccination Coverage as Important Factors Modifying the Costs and Availability of Hospital Services in Poland: A Retrospective Comparative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-15, May.
    2. Helena C. Maltezou & Eleni Ioannidou & Koen De Schrijver & Guido François & Antoon De Schryver, 2021. "Influenza Vaccination Programs for Healthcare Personnel: Organizational Issues and Beyond," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-9, October.
    3. Antonia Arreciado Marañón & María Isabel Fernández-Cano & Laura Montero-Pons & Maria Feijoo-Cid & Azahara Reyes-Lacalle & Rosa María Cabedo-Ferreiro & Josep Maria Manresa-Domínguez & Gemma Falguera-Pu, 2022. "Knowledge, Perceptions, Attitudes and Practices of Midwives Regarding Maternal Influenza and Pertussis Vaccination: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-17, July.
    4. Ngqabutho Moyo & Anita D. Bhappu & Moment Bhebhe & Farai Ncube, 2022. "Perceived Risk of COVID-19 and Employee Decision-Making: How Psychological Distress during the Pandemic Increases Negative Performance Outcomes among Healthcare Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-16, June.
    5. Roland Diel & Albert Nienhaus, 2019. "Cost–Benefit Analysis of Real-Time Influenza Testing for Patients in German Emergency Rooms," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-16, July.
    6. Mercè Soler-Font & Ignacio Aznar-Lou & Luca Basile & Núria Soldevila & Pere Godoy & Ana Martínez & Antoni Serrano-Blanco & Angela Domínguez & The Surveillance of Hospitalized Cases of Severe Influenza, 2022. "Costs and Factors Associated with Hospitalizations Due to Severe Influenza in Catalonia (2017–2020)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-10, November.
    7. Panagiotis Prezerakos & Katerina Dadouli & Eirini Agapidaki & Christina-Maria Kravvari & Ioanna Avakian & Athanasia-Marina Peristeri & Lemonia Anagnostopoulos & Varvara A. Mouchtouri & Konstantinos N., 2022. "Behavioral and Cultural Insights, a Nationwide Study Based on Repetitive Surveys of WHO Behavioral Insights Tool in Greece Regarding COVID-19 Pandemic and Vaccine Acceptance," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-22, December.
    8. Chiara Cadeddu & Luca Regazzi & Guglielmo Bonaccorsi & Aldo Rosano & Brigid Unim & Robert Griebler & Thomas Link & Paola De Castro & Roberto D’Elia & Valeria Mastrilli & Luigi Palmieri, 2022. "The Determinants of Vaccine Literacy in the Italian Population: Results from the Health Literacy Survey 2019," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-13, April.
    9. Maurizio Lecce & Giacomo Biganzoli & Luca Agnello & Ignazio Belisario & Giovanni Cicconi & Marilena D’Amico & Francesca De Giorgi & Angelo Ferilli & Gaia Ferraguzzi & Fabio Guzzardi & Danilo Lanzillot, 2022. "COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccination Campaign in a Research and University Hospital in Milan, Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-25, May.
    10. Ibrahim A. Sales & Wajid Syed & Majed F. Almutairi & Yazed Al Ruthia, 2021. "Public Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices toward Seasonal Influenza Vaccine in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-13, January.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:13:p:6247-:d:1182166. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.