Influenza and hepatitis B vaccine acceptance: a survey of health care workers

Am J Infect Control. 1991 Aug;19(4):177-84. doi: 10.1016/0196-6553(91)90001-s.

Abstract

To assist in the nonrequired vaccine program evaluation at Valley Hospital and Medical Center in Spokane, Washington, a survey of all employees (n = 379) was conducted, with a 63.3% return rate. The most common reasons for not accepting influenza vaccine were wish to avoid medications whenever possible (47%, 96/203), concern about getting influenza from the vaccine (45%, 89/199), and concern about severe reactions such as Guillain-Barré syndrome (37%, 73/196). The most common reasons for not accepting hepatitis B vaccine were not enough exposure to hepatitis B to get vaccinated (52%, 57/110), wish to avoid medications whenever possible (44%, 51/117), and concern about side effects (43%, 50/117). Twelve percent (22/177) of the respondents who reported potential exposure identified the belief of "not enough exposure" as a reason to refuse hepatitis B vaccine. It was also noted that health care workers who rejected hepatitis B vaccine indicated that fear of "getting AIDS from the vaccine" did not influence them (96%, 108/113).

MeSH terms

  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • Female
  • Hepatitis B / prevention & control
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines
  • Hospital Bed Capacity, 100 to 299
  • Humans
  • Influenza Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Male
  • Personnel, Hospital / psychology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Washington

Substances

  • Hepatitis B Vaccines
  • Influenza Vaccines
  • Viral Hepatitis Vaccines