Factors associated with influenza and COVID-19 vaccination among health workers in Lao PDR, 2023

Chansay Patthammavong; Natalie Wodniak; Kongxay Phounphenghack; Chankham Tengbriacheu; Bandith Soumphonphakdy; Viengkhan Phixay; Chansavang Vongkhamsao; Viengphone Khanthamaly; Jaymin C Patel; Martha P Montgomery; Margaret McCarron; William W Davis; Julie Carlton; Eva S Bazant; Ann C Moen; Phonethipsavanh Nouanthong

doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127006

Factors associated with influenza and COVID-19 vaccination among health workers in Lao PDR, 2023

Vaccine. 2025 Mar 14:54:127006. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127006. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Chansay Patthammavong¹, Natalie Wodniak², Kongxay Phounphenghack¹, Chankham Tengbriacheu¹, Bandith Soumphonphakdy¹, Viengkhan Phixay¹, Chansavang Vongkhamsao¹, Viengphone Khanthamaly³, Jaymin C Patel⁴, Martha P Montgomery⁵, Margaret McCarron⁴, William W Davis⁶, Julie Carlton⁴, Eva S Bazant², Ann C Moen², Phonethipsavanh Nouanthong⁷

Affiliations

¹ Lao Mother and Child Health Center, Ministry of Health, Vientiane, Laos.
² Task Force for Global Health, Atlanta, GA, USA.
³ U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Vientiane, Laos; U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
⁴ U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
⁵ U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA; Thailand Ministry of Public Health-U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nonthaburi, Thailand. Electronic address: Lwx6@cdc.gov.
⁶ U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA; Thailand Ministry of Public Health-U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nonthaburi, Thailand.
⁷ Lao PDR National Immunization Technical Advisory Group, Vientiane, Laos.

PMID: 40088512
DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127006

Abstract

Understanding vaccine uptake and related factors among health care workers is critical to successful vaccination programs. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in central, provincial, district hospitals and health centers among health workers in Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR) in November 2023 to assess health workers' experience with influenza and COVID-19 vaccination, vaccination uptake, intended uptake, and intention to recommend both vaccinations to patients in the future. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with these practices. Among 1228 surveyed health workers in six provinces, 55 % were nurses, assistant nurses, or midwives; 32 % were doctors or assistant doctors; and 14 % had other occupations. Overall, 77 % of respondents were female, and the median age was 34 years (interquartile range 29-42 years). Current influenza vaccination and receipt of COVID-19 booster doses were 70 % (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 62-78 %) and 90 % (95 % CI: 87-92 %), respectively. If vaccines were available for free in the future, approximately 94 % and 92 % of health workers would receive influenza and COVID-19 vaccination, respectively. Nearly all health workers would recommend influenza (98 %) and COVID-19 (95 %) vaccination to their patients. Health workers who had received influenza vaccination prior to the COVID-19 pandemic were more likely to have received current influenza vaccination (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 95 % CI: 3.7, 2.8-4.9) and to intend to receive influenza vaccination in the future (aOR 2.7, 95 % CI: 1.1-6.8). Health workers who were vaccinated for influenza in the current season were more likely to receive COVID-19 booster doses and to intend to receive future booster doses (aOR, 95 % CI: 2.2, 1.3-3.7 and 2.5, 1.2-5.1, respectively). Intention to recommend influenza vaccination to patients was associated with the intention to recommend COVID-19 vaccination to patients, and vice versa. High acceptance for influenza and COVID-19 vaccination among health workers can support a successful vaccination program in Lao PDR.

Keywords: COVID-19; Health workers; Influenza; Lao PDR; Vaccination; Vaccine acceptance.