Survey on Influenza Vaccination Noncompliance among Nursing Students

Abstract

A total of 161 nursing students who had participated in the 2013-2014 University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (Pennsylvania, USA) influenza vaccination data collection survey (20 September-6 December 2013), and who reported not obtaining the vaccination without a medical contradiction were included in this survey conducted over 2 weeks (15-28 April 2014), with 2 reminder e-mails. Of the 161 students, 58 students (36%) responded. Most respondents (79%) reported receiving influenza vaccination; only 12 students (21%) were noncompliant, who were all female and aged 20-55 years. Among the students who reported not getting the vaccine, 67% acknowledged knowing a free influenza vaccination was available through the student health service. Most noncompliant students (91%) agreed that unvaccinated health care personnel (including nursing students) could be at risk of contracting influenza or transmitting the virus during patient care. About 59% disagreed that nursing students should receive the annual vaccination, and 67% disagreed with mandatory influenza vaccination as a condition of employment. Suggestions to increase influenza vaccination uptake among nursing students are proposed.