Understanding the change in intention for influenza vaccine among health-care workers (HCWs) is important to increase influenza vaccination uptake. We aimed to investigate the psychosocial beliefs associated with a change in the intention for influenza vaccine. An anonymous cross-sectional survey was distributed to tertiary hospital HCWs in 2016. Of 3007 HCWs, 70% were compliant (vaccinated, with an intention to revaccinate), 8% were resistant (unvaccinated, without intention to vaccinate), 10% had positive change (unvaccinated, but with intention) and 12% had negative change (vaccinated, but without intention). Across HCW groups, medical staff had both the highest proportion receiving all influenza vaccinations in the last 5 years (101, 28.4%), as well as the highest proportion who had never received vaccination (41, 11.5%). With increasing age, HCWs were less likely to have a negative (p = .02) or positive change (p = .06) in intention, compared to the vaccine-resistant group. HCWs were more likely to be compliant or have a positive change in intention to receive influenza vaccine, if they perceived the vaccine as effective, safe, or had a higher frequency of influenza vaccination in the last 5 years (all with p < .05). HCWs who were medical staff, who believed that side effects of the vaccine were common, or had worked for 6 to 10 years (vs 5 years or less) were less likely to be compliant (all with p < .05). In conclusion, older HCWs were more likely to maintain the status quo in their behavior toward influenza vaccination. Influenza vaccination strategies should place emphasis on vaccine effectiveness and safety.
Keywords: Healthcare personnel; health behavior; health communication; hospital; influenza vaccination.