Patients' opinions on vaccination against influenza

Background. Influenza is a serious illness that could cause complications dangerous for the health and even life. Therefore, vaccination against influenza should be recommended for everyone. It has been recognized that vaccination is the primary and most cost-effective method for prevention of influenza. Objectives. The purpose of work was an analysis of the views on vaccination against influenza. Material and methods. The test was performed by means of an authorial questionnaire survey, consisting of 19 questions. The test was carried out from December 2009 to March 2010, at the premises of the Masovian, Silesia and Opole. Participation in the survey was voluntary and anonymous. Study group was 336 persons aged 18-65 (25% women, 75% of men). The results were statistically analyzed. Results. Among those surveyed, 30% have children, of whom only 9.9% children are vaccinated against influenza. Parents who immunize their children believe in 60%, that it is an effective protection against influenza, 29.7% of parents who do not immunize their child do not believe that the vaccine is effective, 9.9% note that after administration of vaccine child can get sick, 7.7% believe that children should not be inoculated against influenza. 17.9% of the respondents were inoculated against influenza in the previous season, and only 8.9% in the current season. 45.8% of the respondents claimed that vaccination is the best way to prevent influenza. 92.9% of respondents are not inoculated. 32.7% of them reported that they did not believe ithat the vaccine is effective, 25.7% fears post-vaccination adverse reactions. Conclusions. The results of the studies conducted showed that the majority of respondents do not believe in the effectiveness of vaccination. Respondents fear post-vaccination adverse reactions and have a little knowledge on the effectiveness of vaccines against influenza. 92% of respondents do not inoculate against influenza in the current season. These results indicate that more attention should be paid to education and the dissemination of this type of protection against influenza.