Knowledge and attitudes regarding influenza vaccination among nurses: A research review

Acceptability of live attenuated influenza vaccine by vaccine providers in Quebec, Canada

“…Health professionals' knowledge and attitudes about vaccines have previously been shown to be an important determinant of their own vaccine uptake, their intention to recommend the vaccine to their patients and the vaccine uptake of their patients. 8,[21][22][23][24][25] To conclude, results of this study indicate an overall high acceptability of seasonal influenza vaccination among Quebec vaccine providers. Despite the fact that vaccine providers held positive attitudes toward LAIV, the low uptake for LAIV observed in Quebec despite free vaccines and preferential recommendation to use LAIV over TIV warrants further studies.…”

“…[4][5][6][7] For instance, in a review published in 2012, nurses' knowledge and attitudes about influenza vaccine were highly associated with their own vaccine uptake, their intention to recommend the vaccine to their patients and the vaccine uptake of their patients. 8 Since LAIV will be used routinely in future seasonal influenza vaccination campaigns, a survey was conducted to explore vaccine providers' knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding seasonal influenza immunization and use of LAIV.…”

Vaccine hesitancy

“…In the 12 research studies included in this review, higher knowledge and positive attitudes toward influenza vaccination were positively associated with vaccination coverage among nurses and there was also an association between nurses' vaccination status and their reported promotion of vaccination to their patients. 98 Results of a study conducted among physicians in Switzerland have shown that almost 5% of (non-pediatrician) physicians have declined or delayed MMR or DTP-based vaccinations for their own children. The authors concluded that fear of "immune overload" among these health care providers means that they are unlikely to answer parental concerns adequately.…”

“…These reviews have mostly focused on parental decision-making regarding different childhood vaccines, 9,87,[111][112][113][114][115] on decision-making regarding the HPV vaccine among different sub-populations [116][117][118][119] or on decision-making regarding pneumococcal, seasonal flu or pandemic flu vaccination. 98,[120][121][122][123] The overwhelming majority of studies looking at determinants of vaccine acceptance have been conducted among parents, mainly because most vaccines are targeted at children and adolescents. These reviews had different objectives and scopes, making it difficult to draw definitive conclusions regarding the most influential factors in vaccine acceptance or refusal.…”

Building Confidence in Vaccines

“…Nurses in particular, because they administer the majority of immunizations, play a significant role as vaccine advisors. The understanding and beliefs held by nurses about the necessity, safety and effectiveness of vaccines not only affects their own immunization behaviour, but also the vaccine practices of others [3,27]. When health care providers doubt the merit of immunization so do the patients they advise, leading to a negative impact on immunization programs.…”