Influenza vaccination uptake of health care workers in a tertiary hospital: Findings from qualitative research in Mysuru, India

Vaccinating health care workers (HCWs) is a common way to prevent influenza-related infection, transmission to patients and absenteeism of HCWs. In India, influenza contributes to 130,000 deaths per year, yet vaccination uptake of HCWs is low. Fifteen percent of the HCWs received one or more vaccinations in 5 years. This study explored the social context of influenza vaccine uptake among HCWs, including physicians, nurses and medical students at a teaching hospital in Mysuru, South India, to generate insights to inform influenza vaccination campaigns targeting HCWs. Qualitative methods, including in-depth interviews with HCWs and structured observations at various departments of the hospital were applied. The results indicate that influenza vaccination uptake among HCWs is low due to personal factors related to little perceived personal threat, emphasis on other prevention techniques to avoid transmission, cost of the vaccine and needle anxiety. Besides, institutional factors, absence of recommendations from superiors and lack of promotion campaigns contribute to low uptake. In conclusion, HCW vaccination education and promotion regarding diminishing personal and transmission risk of the influenza virus, uniform vaccination guidelines and strategies to improve access including for those who are burdened by the cost of the vaccine are suggested.