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Showing content from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25728320/ below:

Low uptake of influenza vaccine among university students: evaluating predictors beyond cost and safety concerns

. 2015 Mar 30;33(14):1659-63. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.02.033. Epub 2015 Feb 26. Low uptake of influenza vaccine among university students: evaluating predictors beyond cost and safety concerns

Affiliations

¹ Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, CNR-7019, 1518 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta GA 30322 USA; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1 University Place, Rensselaer NY 12144 USA. Electronic address: rbednar@emory.edu.
² Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1 University Place, Rensselaer NY 12144 USA.
³ Pediatric Infectious Diseases, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13201 USA.
⁴ Institute for Health and the Environment, University at Albany, State University of New York, 5 University Place, Rensselaer NY 12144 USA.
⁵ Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1 University Place, Rensselaer NY 12144 USA; Institute for Health and the Environment, University at Albany, State University of New York, 5 University Place, Rensselaer NY 12144 USA.

PMID: 25728320
DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.02.033

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Low uptake of influenza vaccine among university students: evaluating predictors beyond cost and safety concerns

Robert A Bednarczyk et al. Vaccine. 2015.

. 2015 Mar 30;33(14):1659-63. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.02.033. Epub 2015 Feb 26. Affiliations

¹ Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, CNR-7019, 1518 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta GA 30322 USA; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1 University Place, Rensselaer NY 12144 USA. Electronic address: rbednar@emory.edu.
² Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1 University Place, Rensselaer NY 12144 USA.
³ Pediatric Infectious Diseases, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13201 USA.
⁴ Institute for Health and the Environment, University at Albany, State University of New York, 5 University Place, Rensselaer NY 12144 USA.
⁵ Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1 University Place, Rensselaer NY 12144 USA; Institute for Health and the Environment, University at Albany, State University of New York, 5 University Place, Rensselaer NY 12144 USA.

PMID: 25728320
DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.02.033

Item in Clipboard

Abstract

Introduction: Annual influenza vaccine coverage for young adults (including college students) remains low, despite a 2011 US recommendation for annual immunization of all people 6 months and older. College students are at high risk for influenza morbidity given close living and social spaces and extended travel during semester breaks when influenza circulation typically increases. We evaluated influenza vaccine uptake following an on-campus vaccine campaign at a large, public New York State university.

Methods: Consecutive students visiting the University Health Center were recruited for a self-administered, anonymous, written survey. Students were asked about recent influenza vaccination, barriers to influenza vaccination, and willingness to get vaccinated to protect other vulnerable individuals they may encounter. Frequencies and proportions were evaluated.

Results: Of 653 students approached, 600 completed surveys (92% response proportion); respondents were primarily female (61%) and non-Hispanic white (59%). Influenza vaccine coverage was low (28%). Compared to coverage among non-Hispanic white students (30%), coverage was similar among Hispanic (30%) and other race/ethnicity students (28%) and lowest among non-Hispanic black students (17%). Among the unvaccinated, the most commonly selected vaccination barriers were "Too lazy to get the vaccine" (32%) and "Don't need the vaccine because I'm healthy" (29%); 6% of unvaccinated students cited cost as a barrier. After being informed that influenza vaccination of young, healthy people can protect other vulnerable individuals (e.g., infants, elderly), 71% of unvaccinated students indicated this would increase their willingness to get vaccinated.

Conclusions: Influenza vaccine uptake among college students is very low. While making vaccine easily obtained may increase vaccine uptake, college students need to be motivated to get vaccinated. Typically healthy students may not perceive a need for influenza vaccine. Education about vaccinating healthy individuals to prevent the spread of influenza to close contacts, such as vulnerable family members, may provide this motivation to get vaccinated.

Keywords: Influenza; Influenza vaccine; Student; University; Vaccines.

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