Vaccination of primary healthcare workers (PHCWs) aids in the prevention of influenza transmission among at-risk patients. To evaluate seasonal influenza vaccine (SIV) coverage and the factors influencing SIV usage among PHCWs in Abha, Saudi Arabia. Between June and August 2018, a cross-sectional survey was conducted at all primary healthcare centers in Abha. It was aimed towards doctors, nurses, technicians, and pharmacists. During the 2017–2018 season, a self-administered questionnaire was utilized to gather data on SIV status, gain understanding about SIV and influenza illness, and identify potential motivators and barriers to SIV. In the 2017–2018 vaccine season, the SIV coverage rate was 45.5 percent among 312 PHCWs. A multivariable logistic regression model revealed that PHCWs under the age of 40, technicians, single PHCWs, and PHCWs lacking appropriate influenza vaccine knowledge were the risk categories for non-vaccination. Approximately 23% and 32% of PHCWs were found to have insufficient understanding of SIV and influenza illness, respectively. The most prevalent incentive for PHCWs was a knowledge of their risk of infection and the necessity for protection, whereas the most common barrier was a fear of adverse effects.
The rate of SIV coverage is poor. There are gaps in knowledge and misunderstandings regarding the influenza vaccination.
Reference: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21645515.2019.1666500
