Understanding and Increasing Influenza Vaccination Acceptance: Insights from a 2016 National Survey of U.S. Adults
Background: The percentage of adults in the U.S. getting seasonal influenza vaccination has not changed significantly since 2013 and remains far below the federal government’s 70% target. Objective: This study assessed and identified characteristics, experiences, and beliefs associated with influenz...
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doaj-636f56ecf9d94618bf1e2c635403a9d32020-11-25T01:36:01ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health1660-46012018-04-0115471110.3390/ijerph15040711ijerph15040711Understanding and Increasing Influenza Vaccination Acceptance: Insights from a 2016 National Survey of U.S. AdultsGlen J. Nowak0Michael A. Cacciatore1María E. Len-Ríos2Center for Health and Risk Communication, Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication, University of Georgia, 120 Hooper Street, Athens, GA 30602, USACenter for Health and Risk Communication, Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication, University of Georgia, 120 Hooper Street, Athens, GA 30602, USACenter for Health and Risk Communication, Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication, University of Georgia, 120 Hooper Street, Athens, GA 30602, USABackground: The percentage of adults in the U.S. getting seasonal influenza vaccination has not changed significantly since 2013 and remains far below the federal government’s 70% target. Objective: This study assessed and identified characteristics, experiences, and beliefs associated with influenza vaccination using a nationally representative survey of 1005 U.S. adults 19 years old and older. Methods: The sample was drawn from the National Opinion Research Center’s AmeriSpeak Panel, a probability-based panel designed to be representative of the U.S. household population. Results: Overall, 42.3% received an influenza vaccination in the past 12 months, with rates highest for non-Hispanic Whites and Blacks and those 65 years old and older. Hispanic respondents and those under 64 years old were much less likely to get an influenza vaccination. They were also less aware of the recommendation, less informed about influenza and the benefits of vaccination, and least confident in the vaccine. Conclusions: Increasing influenza vaccination coverage in the U.S. requires a greater focus on 19–64 year-olds, particularly those 50 to 64, Hispanics and continued focus on those with diabetes and asthma. Efforts need to increase awareness of influenza vaccination recommendations, foster a sense of being well informed about influenza vaccination benefits and the risks associated with non-vaccination, and increase confidence that there are meaningful benefits from receiving an influenza vaccination.http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/15/4/711influenzainfluenza vaccinationadult vaccinationvaccine acceptance |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Glen J. Nowak Michael A. Cacciatore María E. Len-Ríos |
spellingShingle |
Glen J. Nowak Michael A. Cacciatore María E. Len-Ríos Understanding and Increasing Influenza Vaccination Acceptance: Insights from a 2016 National Survey of U.S. Adults International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health influenza influenza vaccination adult vaccination vaccine acceptance |
author_facet |
Glen J. Nowak Michael A. Cacciatore María E. Len-Ríos |
author_sort |
Glen J. Nowak |
title |
Understanding and Increasing Influenza Vaccination Acceptance: Insights from a 2016 National Survey of U.S. Adults |
title_short |
Understanding and Increasing Influenza Vaccination Acceptance: Insights from a 2016 National Survey of U.S. Adults |
title_full |
Understanding and Increasing Influenza Vaccination Acceptance: Insights from a 2016 National Survey of U.S. Adults |
title_fullStr |
Understanding and Increasing Influenza Vaccination Acceptance: Insights from a 2016 National Survey of U.S. Adults |
title_full_unstemmed |
Understanding and Increasing Influenza Vaccination Acceptance: Insights from a 2016 National Survey of U.S. Adults |
title_sort |
understanding and increasing influenza vaccination acceptance: insights from a 2016 national survey of u.s. adults |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health |
issn |
1660-4601 |
publishDate |
2018-04-01 |
description |
Background: The percentage of adults in the U.S. getting seasonal influenza vaccination has not changed significantly since 2013 and remains far below the federal government’s 70% target. Objective: This study assessed and identified characteristics, experiences, and beliefs associated with influenza vaccination using a nationally representative survey of 1005 U.S. adults 19 years old and older. Methods: The sample was drawn from the National Opinion Research Center’s AmeriSpeak Panel, a probability-based panel designed to be representative of the U.S. household population. Results: Overall, 42.3% received an influenza vaccination in the past 12 months, with rates highest for non-Hispanic Whites and Blacks and those 65 years old and older. Hispanic respondents and those under 64 years old were much less likely to get an influenza vaccination. They were also less aware of the recommendation, less informed about influenza and the benefits of vaccination, and least confident in the vaccine. Conclusions: Increasing influenza vaccination coverage in the U.S. requires a greater focus on 19–64 year-olds, particularly those 50 to 64, Hispanics and continued focus on those with diabetes and asthma. Efforts need to increase awareness of influenza vaccination recommendations, foster a sense of being well informed about influenza vaccination benefits and the risks associated with non-vaccination, and increase confidence that there are meaningful benefits from receiving an influenza vaccination. |
topic |
influenza influenza vaccination adult vaccination vaccine acceptance |
url |
http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/15/4/711 |
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