Objective We examined the acceptability of the influenza A (H1N1) and seasonal vaccinations immediately following government manufacture approval to gauge potential product uptake in minority communities. We studied correlates of vaccine acceptance including attitudes, beliefs, perceptions, and influenza immunization experiences, and sought to identify communication approaches to increase influenza vaccine coverage in community settings. Methods Adults ≥ 18 years participated in a cross-sectional survey from September through December 2009. Venue-based sampling was used to recruit participants of racial and ethnic minorities. Results The sample (N=503) included mostly lower income (81.9%, n=412) participants and African Americans (79.3%, n=399). Respondents expressed greater acceptability of the H1N1 vaccination compared to seasonal flu immunization (t=2.86, p=0.005) although H1N1 vaccine acceptability was moderately low (38%, n=191). Factors associated with acceptance of the H1N1 vaccine included positive attitudes about immunizations [OR=0.23, CI (0.16, 0.33)], community perceptions of H1N1 [OR=2.15, CI (1.57, 2.95)], and having had a flu shot in the past 5 years [OR=2.50, CI (1.52, 4.10). The factors associated with acceptance of the seasonal flu vaccine included positive attitudes about immunization [OR=0.43, CI (0.32, 0.59)], community perceptions of H1N1 [OR=1.53, CI (1.16, 2.01)], and having had the flu shot in the past 5 years [OR=3.53, CI (2.16, 5.78)]. Participants were most likely to be influenced to take a flu shot by physicians [OR=1.94, CI (1.31, 2.86)]. Persons who obtained influenza vaccinations indicated that Facebook (χ2=11.7, p=.02) and Twitter (χ2=18.1, p=.001) could be useful vaccine communication channels and that churches (χ2=21.5, p<.001) and grocery stores (χ2=21.5, p<.001) would be effective “flu shot stops” in their communities. Conclusions In this population, positive vaccine attitudes and community perceptions, along with previous flu vaccination, were associated with H1N1 and seasonal influenza vaccine acceptance. Increased immunization coverage in this community may be achieved through physician communication to dispel vaccine conspiracy beliefs and discussion about vaccine protection via social media and in other community venues.

Background and Aims-Further cases of novel influenza A (H1N1) outbreak are expected in the coming months. Vaccination has been proven to be essential to control a pandemic of influenza; therefore, considerable efforts and resources have been devoted to develop a vaccine against the influenza A (H1N1) virus. With the current availability of the vaccine, it will be important to immunize as many people as possible. However, previous data with seasonal influenza vaccines have shown that there are multiple barriers related to perceptions and attitudes of the population that influence vaccine use. The aim of the study was to evaluate the acceptance of a newly developed vaccine against pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza A among healthcare workers (HCW) in Mexico.

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Maternal vaccination is an important area of research and requires appropriate and internationally comparable definitions and safety standards. The GAIA group, part of the Brighton Collaboration was created with the mandate of proposing standardised definitions applicable to maternal vaccine research. This study proposes international definitions for neonatal infections.The neonatal infections GAIA working group performed a literature review using Medline, EMBASE and the Cochrane collaboration and collected definitions in use in neonatal and public health networks. The common criteria derived from the extensive search formed the basis for a consensus process that resulted in three separate definitions for neonatal blood stream infections (BSI), meningitis and lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI). For each definition three levels of evidence are proposed to ensure the applicability of the definitions to different settings.Recommendations about data collection, analysis and presentation are presented and harmonized with the Brighton Collaboration and GAIA format and other existing international standards for study reporting.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to understand pandemic 2009 influenza A (H1N1) vaccine acceptance in a minority community including correlates of vaccine hesitancy and refusal. We identified intervention points to increase H1N1 vaccine coverage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Minority parents and caregivers of children ≤18 years participated in a cross-sectional survey. Statistical analyses included bivariate correlations, exploratory factor analyses, internal-consistency assessment, and logistic regressions. RESULTS: The sample (N = 223) included mostly lower-income (71% [n = 159]) and black (66% [n = 147]) participants. Potential and actual receipt of pediatric H1N1 vaccination was low (36% [n = 80]). Pediatric H1N1 vaccine acceptance was associated with lack of insurance (odds ratio [OR]: 3.04 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.26–7.37]), perceived H1NI pediatric susceptibility (OR: 1.66 [95% Cl: 1.41–1.95]), child vaccination prioritization in family (OR: 3.34 [95% CI: 1.33–8.38]), believing that H1N1 is a greater community concern than other diseases (OR: 1.77 [95% CI: 1.01–3.09]), believing that other methods of containment (eg, hand-washing, masks) are not as effective as the H1N1 vaccine (OR: 1.73 [95% CI: 1.06–2.83]), and a desire to promote influenza vaccination in the community (OR: 2.35 [95% CI: 1.53–3.61]). CONCLUSIONS: We found low acceptance of the H1N1 vaccine in our study population. Perceived influenza susceptibility, concern about H1N1 disease, and confidence in vaccinations as preventive methods were associated with vaccine acceptance. Physician support for HIN1 vaccination will aid in increasing immunization coverage for this population, and health departments are perceived as ideal community locations for vaccine administration.

VDPVs may emerge and spread in settings with inadequate coverage with IPV/OPV vaccination. Environmental surveillance can facilitate early detection in these settings.