Adherence to influenza vaccines is poor. Adults hospitalised with influenza-like illness (ILI) may be more eager to get vaccinated if their virological diagnosis is communicated to them. The study assessed the willingness to be vaccinated against influenza in the following season in adults hospitalised with ILI in six French university hospitals, both before and after the communication of RT-PCR Influenza laboratory results; researchers then identified the determinants associated with the willingness to be vaccinated. A total of 309 patients were included during the influenza seasons; 43.8 percent reported being vaccinated against influenza for the current season; and 65.1 percent expressed willingness to be immunised for the following season prior to notification of influenza test findings. In 103 individuals, influenza was proven virologically. Following the release of influenza test findings, the percentage of vaccination willingness climbed to 70.4 percent. The impression of influenza vaccine advantages, signals to action, current season influenza vaccination, and communication of a positive influenza test result were all independently linked with desire to get vaccinated.
Communication of a positive influenza diagnosis resulted in a greater awareness of the disease’s severity and improved desire to get vaccinated in patients hospitalised with ILI. This technique may be especially useful in people who have never had an influenza vaccine.
Reference: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21645515.2019.1674598
