Raimundas Karčauskas¹, Justinas Abugelis¹,  Žilvinas Barauskas¹

¹Lithuanian university of health sciences, Academy of  Medicine, Faculty of medicine.

Abstract

Background: Seasonal influenza is an acute respiratory infection that is most dangerous to the elderly and immune-compromised group of patients. Even though vaccination of healthcare personnel could help prevent the spread of this viral disease, there is a significant hesitancy regarding the vaccine. This paper will help to analyze the causes of seasonal flu vaccination hesitancy.

Aim: To evaluate the vaccination tendencies among healthcare personnel LSMUL KK and to determine causes for vaccine hesitancy.

Methods: Research was conducted using anonymous questionnaire form. Participants were select randomly in LSMUL KK. Data were analyzed using the Pearson chi square test (χ2) on SPSS 20.0 program. Results concluded viable when p<0,05.

Results: A total of 204 healthcare professionals participated in this research. 39,4 pct. of respondents vaccinate against seasonal influenza, 60 pct. of the do it yearly. Almost half of all workers view the vaccine in a positive manner, a little less than half have doubts and about 10 pct. view vaccine in a negative way. Those respondents who view vaccine in a negative way, statistically less often accept the vaccine. Acceptance of vaccination depends on workers’ personal beliefs, while vaccine hesitancy stems from personal beliefs, lack of trust or information and second-hand experiences of workers’ friends and family. Women and healthcare workers under 35 years of age are statistically more likely to vaccinate (p<0,001). Workers without higher education and nurses along with their assistants are more likely to avoid the vaccine (p<0,001).