Knowledge and attitudes about influenza vaccination: a New Zealand study of primary care practitioners and elderly people

Background: Free influenza vaccination for people aged 65 and over was introduced into New Zealand in 1997. Despite an active education programme, the Government's target of 75% coverage has not yet been reached. The estimated influenza vaccination coverage in those aged 65 and over was 59% in 2000. Methods: This study, conducted between November 2001 and February 2002, aimed to identify knowledge, attitudes and beliefs that influence influenza immunisation coverage in people aged 65 years and over in New Zealand. A postal survey of primary care practitioners was conducted in four regions categorised as low or high coverage. A telephone survey of randomly selected people aged 65 and over was carried out in the same regions. The surveys assessed participant knowledge and attitudes about influenza and influenza vaccination, including barriers to vaccination and personal vaccination status. Results: Primary care practitioners and people aged 65 and over were generally well informed about influenza and its complications, and the effectiveness of influenza immunisation. However, some misinformation persists in people 65 and over, such as the belief that people can get influenza from the influenza injection (30%) and that healthy, older people do not need to be vaccinated against influenza (22%). These beliefs discourage some older people from being immunised. Conclusions: This study has found high levels of awareness about influenza and the role of vaccination in its control. However, it also found that mistaken beliefs about influenza immunisation are relatively common, despite current education programmes, and they act as barriers to vaccine uptake among healthy, older people. Target coverage levels will not be achieved until these are addressed. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.