Relationship between knowledge, perceived risk, and influenza vaccine uptake in health science students

Background: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all healthcare personnel be vaccinated annually for influenza and Healthy People 2020's objective is to increase seasonal influenza vaccination coverage of healthcare personnel to 90%. Health science students have direct patient contact in their clinical courses; therefore, unvaccinated students could potentially infect patients and others with influenza. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine what influence perceived risk of contracting influenza and knowledge about influenza and vaccination had on the decision to receive the vaccine and to identify predictors of vaccine uptake. Methods: An internet-based survey was completed by 299 undergraduate health science students that assessed knowledge, perceived risk, and influenza vaccine uptake. Results: Self-reported influenza vaccine uptake was 44.3%. Results indicated that there were significant differences between knowledge (p = .029), perceived risk (p < .001), and influenza vaccine uptake. Multivariate logistic regression found that perceived risk (p < .001), patient contact separate from clinical courses (p = .011), and prior vaccination (p < .001) were predictors of vaccine uptake. Lack of time, inconvenience, and not wanting the vaccine were the most common barriers reported for not receiving the influenza vaccine. Conclusion: Influenza vaccine coverage of health science students fell below the Healthy People 2020 goal of 90% and does not meet the recommendations of the CDC. Health science students have the ethical responsibility to follow evidence-based infection control practices and be vaccinated annually for influenza.