Promoting influenza vaccination: Insights from a qualitative meta-analysis of 14 years of influenza-related communications research by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Abstract

Introduction A primary mission of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) is promoting immunization against seasonal influenza. As with most education efforts, CDCs influenza-related communications are often informed by formative research. Methods A qualitative meta-analysis of 29 unpublished, primarily qualitative CDC-sponsored studies related to flu and flu vaccination knowledge, attitudes and beliefs (KABs). The studies, undertaken between 2000 and 2013, involved focus groups, in-depth interviews, message testing and surveys. Some involved health care professionals, while others involved members of the public, including sub-populations at risk for severe illness. Findings The themes that emerged suggested progress in terms of KABs related to influenza and influenza vaccination, but also the persistence of many barriers to vaccine acceptance. With respect to the public, recurring themes included limited understanding of influenza and immunization recommendations, indications of greater sub-group recognition of the value of flu vaccination, continued resistance to vaccination among many, and overestimation of the effectiveness of non-vaccine measures. Seven cognitive facilitators of vaccination were identified in the studies along with six cognitive barriers. For health care providers, the analysis suggests greater knowledge and more favorable beliefs, but many misperceptions persist and are similar to those held by the public. KABs often differed by type or category of health care provider. Conclusions The themes identified in this qualitative analysis illustrate the difficulty in changing KABs related to influenza and influenza vaccine, particularly on the scope and scale needed to greatly improve uptake. Even with an influenza pandemic and more vaccine options available, public and some health care provider perceptions and beliefs are difficult and slow to change. This meta-analysis does, however, provide important insights from previously unpublished information that can help those who are promoting influenza vaccination to health care providers, the general public and specific populations within the general population.

Influenza vaccination motivators among healthcare personnel in a large acute care hospital in Israel

“…HCPs’ knowledge of influenza vaccine has been directly correlated with vaccination uptake [10, 11]. In a meta-analysis of studies sponsored by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HCPs’ misconceptions about influenza vaccination were similar to those held by the general public [12]. Similarly, in a study by Gesser-Edelsburg et al concerning Israeli HCP's attitudes towards the avian influenza vaccine in an outbreak setting, there was no difference between HCP and the general public regarding support for vaccination [13].…”

The Need to Optimize Adolescent Immunization

“…In a qualitative meta-analysis of 14 years of influenza-related communications research by the CDC, public and some health care provider perceptions and beliefs were difficult and slow to change. 83 A study by Freed et al 84 reported that 11.5% of parents of adolescents refused immunization. The meningococcal vaccine was declined 31.8% of the time and the HPV vaccine was declined 56.4% of the time.…”

Are plasma mineral levels related to antibody response to influenza vaccination in older adults?

“…To inactivate non-specific inhibitors, sera were treated with receptor destroying enzyme prior to being tested. [24][25][26][27][28] The HI titers were determined in assays by the reciprocal dilution of the last well that contained non-agglutinated red blood cells and were conducted in duplicate. Positive and negative serum controls were included for each plate.…”