Perceptions of Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Among U.S. Army Civilians and Dependents in the Kaiserslautern Military Community: A Mixed-Methods Survey

Burns, MSC, Veronica M.; Castillo, MPH, Fritz M.; Coldren, MD, MPH, Rodney L.; Prosser, PhD, Trisha; Howell, Renee L.; Kabbur, DVM, PhD, Mahendra B.

doi:10.1093/milmed/usaa572

Title: Perceptions of Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Among U.S. Army Civilians and Dependents in the Kaiserslautern Military Community: A Mixed-Methods Survey

Journal Article · Sat Feb 06 00:00:00 EST 2021 · Military Medicine

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usaa572· OSTI ID:1844265

Burns, MSC, Veronica M. ^[1]; Castillo, MPH, Fritz M. ^[2]; Coldren, MD, MPH, Rodney L. ^[1]; Prosser, PhD, Trisha ^[3]; Howell, Renee L. ^[1]; Kabbur, DVM, PhD, Mahendra B. ^[1]

U.S. Army Public Health Command Europe, Preventive Medicine Services, Landstuhl, Rhineland-Palatinate 66849, Germany
Department of Pathology & Area Laboratory Services, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl, Rhineland-Palatinate 66849, Germany
CMR 402 Box 468, APO, AE 09180, Germany

ABSTRACT Introduction Influenza is a globally occurring viral respiratory infection that can lead to hospitalizations and death. An influenza outbreak can interfere with combat readiness in a military setting, as the infection can incapacitate soldiers. Vaccination remains the most effective tool to prevent and mitigate seasonal influenza. Although influenza vaccinations for U.S. Army soldiers can be monitored through military health systems, those systems cannot capture DoD civilians and Army dependents who may not use military health services. This study aims to gauge flu vaccine uptake and perceptions in U.S. Army civilians and dependents. Materials and Methods An online survey was e-mailed to civilian and dependent enrollees of Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. The survey contained 24 questions pertaining to demographics, vaccine history, history of the flu, and beliefs toward vaccines. Chi-square tests, t-tests, and logistic regressions were performed to investigate the association between demographic, behavior, and belief factors with vaccine uptake. Free-text answers were coded and categorized by themes. Results Over 70% of respondents were vaccinated for the flu. There were differences between vaccinated and unvaccinated respondents regarding their perceptions of barriers to vaccination, benefits of the flu vaccine, severity of flu symptoms, and personal risk of getting ill with the flu. After controlling for confounders, flu vaccination in the previous season and healthcare worker status were associated with increased vaccine uptake, while perceived barriers to influenza vaccination were associated with decreased vaccine uptake. Conclusions Flu vaccine uptake may be increased by increasing access to vaccination, promoting vaccination and addressing concerns at the provider level, and engaging positively framed public messaging. Increasing flu vaccine uptake is of particular importance as the flu season approaches during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic.

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Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

OSTI ID:: 1844265

Journal Information:: Military Medicine, Journal Name: Military Medicine Vol. 187 Journal Issue: 3-4; ISSN 0026-4075

Publisher:: Oxford University PressCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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