Factors associated with influenza vaccination coverage among the elderly: role of health care personnel.

Factors associated with acceptance of influenza vaccination in an elderly population were investigated in order to find ways of improving vaccination coverage. Three administrative districts with different vaccination coverages were selected, and a random sample of 10 percent (N = 497) of the elderly population living outside institutions was taken from the official lists maintained by the Central Statistical Office. The data were collected by means of a postal questionnaire. The questionnaire inquired about influenza vaccination status during the autumn 1992 campaign, demographic factors, health status, previous experiences and beliefs about influenza vaccination and influenza as a disease, and source of information about the vaccination campaign. The highest positive associations were found between a high influenza vaccination acceptance rate and the perceived need for vaccination (Relative risk (RR) 4.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.7-7.9), belief in its effectiveness (RR 3.6, 95% CI 2.1-6.1) and information received from health visitors (RR 2.2, 95% CI 1.8-2.6). Vaccination acceptance was negatively associated with a belief in its adverse effects, (RR 0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.6). Information received from health visitors was associated with more frequent occurrence of positive beliefs about influenza vaccination and with higher acceptance of vaccination irrespective of positive or negative beliefs regarding it. In order to obtain high vaccination coverage health care personnel should be carefully informed about the importance of influenza vaccination and encouraged to inform the public.