Factors and barriers influencing influenza vaccination of college students for 2009-2010

In 2009, a novel H1N1 influenza virus emerged causing the first influenza pandemic in more than 40 years. Colleges bring students from many communities together in a crowded environment conducive to rapid contagion. Vaccinations have been shown to effectively prevent the spread of influenza. This study estimated the prevalence of influenza vaccination and described factors associated with vaccination among students from a small midwestern liberal arts college. Approximately 215 students were randomly surveyed. From students surveyed, 41.8% of them received the 2009 seasonal influenza vaccine, 52% of students received the 2009 H1N1 vaccine, and 33.5% of students received both. Students were asked to report their attitude about influenza vaccines. Responses were categorized into the top ten attitudes for or against getting the influenza vaccine. The top five factors that influenced students to receive the vaccine included pressure from their parents (33%), the vaccine being required for study abroad (32%), to prevent falling ill with influenza (11%), required for major (5%), and the student was classified as an at risk population for getting influenza (4%). The top five barriers to receiving the vaccine included the belief that influenza is not severe enough to be vaccinated for (35%), lack of time or finance (30%), fear of needles (10%), general negative perception of the vaccines effectiveness (8%), and being worried about safety of the H1N1 vaccine (5%). Overall investigating student's attitudes to influenza vaccinations is key to identifying barriers to immunization and to developing future strategies to improve planning for future pandemics.