Patient's perceptions and information provided by the public health service are predictors for influenza vaccine uptake.

The objective of this study is to determine whether a patient's perception and information received from health services can be used as predictive tools in regard to vaccination coverage against influenza. Individual data from 7,341 adults included in the Madrid City Health Survey conducted in 2005 were used. With the objective of discovering the level of satisfaction with the public health system in mind, the question "In your opinion, does the public health care system in the city of Madrid work properly?" was asked to the population so as to obtain an affirmative/negative answer with respect to public health services. Overall influenza vaccination coverage was 24%. Logistic regression models indicate that the population more satisfied with, as well as those who believe they are sufficiently informed by, the health services are more likely to receive the vaccine against influenza (OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.06-1.43). Visits to a physician also constitute a statistically significant association. Improving the perception with the public health system and the information provided to the population may help to increase influenza vaccination uptake.