A Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception Study on Flu and COVID-19 Vaccination during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Multicentric Italian Survey Insights

Abstract

In January 2020, Chinese health authorities identified a novel coronavirus strain never before isolated in humans. It quickly spread across the world, and was eventually declared a pandemic, leading to about 310 million confirmed cases and to 5,497,113 deaths (data as of 11 January 2022). Influenza viruses affect millions of people during cold seasons, with high impacts, in terms of mortality and morbidity. Patients with comorbidities are at a higher risk of acquiring severe problems due to COVID-19 and the flu—infections that could impact their underlying clinical conditions. In the present study, knowledge, attitudes, and opinions of the general population regarding COVID-19 and influenza immunization were evaluated. A multicenter, web-based, cross-sectional study was conducted between 10 February and 12 July 2020, during the first wave of SARS-CoV-2 infections among the general population in Italy. A sample of 4116 questionnaires was collected at the end of the study period. Overall, 17.5% of respondents stated that it was unlikely that they would accept a future COVID-19 vaccine (n = 720). Reasons behind vaccine refusal/indecision were mainly a lack of trust in the vaccine (41.1%), the fear of side effects (23.4%), or a lack of perception of susceptibility to the disease (17.1%). More than 50% (53.8%; n = 2214) of the sample participants were willing to receive flu vaccinations in the forthcoming vaccination campaign, but only 28.2% of cases had received it at least once in the previous five seasons. A higher knowledge score about SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 and at least one flu vaccination during previous influenza seasons were significantly associated with the intention to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and influenza. The continuous study of factors, determining vaccination acceptance and hesitancy, is fundamental in the current context, in regard to improve vaccination confidence and adherence rates against vaccine preventable diseases.

Knowledge and Behaviours towards Immunisation Programmes: Vaccine Hesitancy during the COVID-19 Pandemic Era

“…For example, HCWs’ scepticism towards vaccination is particularly evident for certain vaccines, such as the anti-flu vaccine, whose benefit in terms of reducing the incidence, mortality and costs associated with the disease is widely underestimated, even among HCWs [ 13 , 14 ]. Several studies in the literature describe how, despite the fact that vaccination is offered actively and free of charge, the influenza vaccination coverage among HCWs continues to remain far below the minimum targets set [ 6 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. A recent survey conducted by authors at an Italian university hospital also confirms some of the determinants of VH described in the literature for this population cohort: confidence, complacency and, in particular, convenience [ 6 ].…”

“…In order to counter this phenomenon, it will be crucial to promote communication/information strategies tailored to healthcare workers, in addition to adequate vaccination supply models (e.g., ward-based vaccination) [ 6 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ].…”

“…In this context, the primary goal of Public Health is to promote health, generating scientific and professional maturity in HCWs and providing the necessary tools to build critical knowledge in full autonomy of judgment, both among colleagues and in the general population [ 15 ].…”

“…Nonetheless, recent studies have shown that emotional factors and risk perception have also influenced vaccination compliance towards COVID-19 vaccination in Italy. Indeed, determinants, such as the increasing familiarity with this disease over the last 2 years, and the full availability of vaccines and booster doses—typical factors of Emotional Epidemiology—have negatively affected vaccination compliance and continue to do so [ 15 ].…”

Public Risk Perception Attribution Model and Governance Path in COVID-19: A Perspective Based on Risk Information

“…In the first year of the new crown pneumonia pandemic, educational differences in preventive behavior and risk perception persisted, and perceived effectiveness and trust generally declined. 35 At the same time, a study of seven African countries showed that the risk perception level of adolescents was significantly lower than that of other age groups. 36 However, the hypothesis that the risk perception of rural residents is higher than that of urban residents is not supported.…”