Exploring anticipated and actual acceptability of A/H1N1 vaccination: A cohort study of university students

Background The efficacy of any vaccination campaign is dependent on the compliance of the population to receive the vaccine.

Purpose This study aims to gain a better understanding of the factors that influence Hong Kong university students to accept or reject the H1N1 vaccination in light of a recent pandemic.

Significance Previous research fails to recognize the university student population as an important group in disease management via vaccination campaigns. University students, although young, generally healthy, and more resistant to disease than other groups such as the elderly, are potentially a “high risk” group in community outbreaks of infectious disease

Methodology Data was collected before (baseline) and after (follow-up) the introduction of the H1N1 vaccine in Hong Kong using a self-reported questionnaire.

Findings At baseline, n=157(47.6%) students reported that they intended to be vaccinated. However, at follow-up, only n=15(4.5%) reported having received the vaccine.

Among those students who had the intention to be vaccinated but who did not receive the vaccine, perceived susceptibility decreased in the last two years (P=0.002), knowledge of the current H1N1 influenza situation was low (P=0.008), and they reported difficulty to access the vaccine (P=0.019). In addition, 19% stated concerns regarding vaccine side-effects, and 50% reported feeling no anxiety in regards to the H1N1 flu.

Conclusion The intention to receive a vaccine cannot be considered a reliable predictor of future behaviour. The largely unsuccessful H1N1 vaccination experience can help shed light on the needed improvement of future pandemic vaccination campaigns to be tailored to its audience.