Seasonal influenza vaccination: knowledge, attitude and practice in Varna, Bulgaria

Abstract

Background: Seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended for certain at-risk groups in Bulgaria, but vaccine coverage and the population’s perception of vaccination are currently unknown. The objective of this study was to assess the level of seasonal influenza vaccination in Varna Region, Bulgaria. It also aimed to investigate the status of knowledge and the attitude towards the reliability, safety, and other aspects associated with the use of influenza vaccines. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 120 responders in Varna Region, Bulgaria. They completed a questionnaire assessing the practice, knowledge, and attitude towards seasonal influenza vaccination. Results: Nearly 70% of all responders have never been vaccinated against seasonal influenza in their lives. The main reason indicated was a lack of confidence in the vaccine in general (53.7% of nonvaccinated responders). Individuals with insufficient knowledge, or with a negative perception, were more likely to not be vaccinated: being poorly informed and having a negative attitude towards influenza vaccination also decreased the chance of being vaccinated by 29% and 36%, respectively. Conclusions: This study indicates that efforts should be made towards achieving better understanding and knowledge of the vaccine’s mechanism of prevention and effectiveness among the Bulgarian population.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of seasonal influenza and influenza vaccine immunization among people visiting primary healthcare centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

“…However, as recent research shows, vaccination coverage is still suboptimal in the country, with KAPs factors being associated with vaccination rates. According to our findings and those of Ermenlieva et al (2019), when individuals lack information and a negative attitude, they are less likely to receive vaccination; therefore, having sufficient knowledge and a positive attitude are positively correlated with being vaccinated [ 28 ]. By increasing education regarding influenza and vaccinations, people in Saudi Arabia will become more informed regarding the potential benefits of vaccination as well as the consequences of not being immunised.…”

“…This seems to indicate that, even when there are positive attitudes about vaccinations, knowledge gaps are sufficient to overcome these perceptions and result in reduced vaccination coverage. Again, the study by Ermenlieva et al (2019) came to similar conclusions, where a lack of knowledge was linked with low vaccination rates regardless of the perceptions and attitudes being primarily positive [ 28 ].…”

Factors Associated with Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Among Nursing Staff of Three Teaching Hospitals Affiliated to Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran

“…The present study revealed that attitude toward influenza vaccination among the nursing staff was suboptimal but more positive in the vaccinated subjects than the unvaccinated ones. In line with the present study findings, several studies revealed that most healthcare workers had a negative attitude and incorrect belief in the influenza vaccine (9,26,27). A negative attitude toward the influenza vaccine was reported as the main barrier to vaccination (9).…”

Replacing vaccine paper package inserts: a multi-country questionnaire study on the acceptability of an electronic replacement in different target groups

“…While seeking data from about 100 individuals for each target group in each country recruitment inevitably had to be adapted to the local circumstances; in Bulgaria pregnant women or elderly people were not included as vaccination uptake is currently too low in these groups [ 48 ]. In Bulgaria a QR code linking to the questionnaire was distributed to parents with young children and, through snowball sampling, distributed further.…”