Influenza vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among adults hospitalized with severe acute respiratory illnesses, United States 20192020

Introduction: Understanding patient factors associated with not being vaccinated is essential for successful implementation of influenza vaccination programs. Methods: We enrolled adults hospitalized with severe acute respiratory illness at 10 United States (US) hospitals during the 20192020 influenza season. We interviewed patients to collect data about influenza vaccination, sociodemographic characteristics, and vaccine perceptions. Results: Among 679 participants, 264 (38.9%) reported not receiving influenza vaccination. Among those not vaccinated, 135 (51.1%) reported choosing not to receive a vaccine because of perceived ineffectiveness (36.7%) or risk (14.4%) of influenza vaccination. Sociodemographic factors associated with not being vaccinated included no medical insurance (aOR=6.42; 95% CI: 2.5216.38) and being non-White or Hispanic (aOR=1.54, 95% CI: 1.022.32). Conclusions: Optimizing uptake of influenza vaccination in the US may be improved by educational programs regarding vaccine safety and effectiveness and enhancing vaccine access, particularly among nonWhite and Hispanic Americans and those without medical insurance. (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study investigated influenza vaccination uptake among hospitalized patients in the US, finding that a significant proportion of unvaccinated individuals cited perceived vaccine ineffectiveness or risk as reasons for not getting vaccinated. Factors associated with not being vaccinated included lack of medical insurance and being non-White or Hispanic. Recommendations for improving influenza vaccination uptake in the US include educational programs on vaccine safety and effectiveness, as well as enhancing vaccine access for marginalized populations.