REASONS FOR NON-VACCINATION AGAINST INFLUENZA IN HEALTH WORKERS

INTRODUCTION. Health workers are a risk group for acquisition and transmission of influenza. Therefore each year the vaccine is indicated for them. However vaccination coverage against seasonable influenza virus in our country is often low. OBJECTIVES. To determine why the professionals of health centers have low rates of vaccination against influenza. knowing the reasons for to have intention to be vaccinated and analyze knowledge about influenza and vaccination. MATERIAL AND METHODS. A descriptive study carried out in Hospital Center of Vigo between 2014-2015. Data were collected by a self-administered questionnaire aimed at health professionals. Variables recorded were age, sex, profession, workplace, work experience, previous influenza vaccines, intention to be vaccinated, reasons for non-vaccination and knowledge about the disease and influenza vaccine. Statistical analysis was performed with the PSPP program and the associations between variables were evaluated using Chi-square test. RESULTS. 375 questionnaires were obtained. Only 18 % of workers were vaccinated last season. The reasons for not having intention to be vaccinated were: believe that it is not necessary (28 %), it is not effective (27 %) and risk of side effects (26 %). The main reason to have intention to be vaccinated was self-protection in 71 %. Working in a health center means risk of getting the flu for 66 % of survey respondents, though 68 % of them think unimportant the vaccination in health professionals. Statistical significance between sex and vaccination last season was found (p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS. It is necessary to increase knowledge about influenza and vaccination by developing specific training to improve vaccination coverage among health care workers.