Intent to receive flu vaccine and influenza vaccination coverage among health professionals during 2019, 2020 and 2021 campaigns in Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

Vaccination of healthcare workers against influenza is a crucial strategy to reduce transmission amongst vulnerable populations, facilitate patient uptake of vaccination, and bolster pandemic preparedness. Globally, vaccination coverage of health workers varied from 10 % to 88 %. Understanding health workers’ knowledge and acceptance of the influenza vaccine, particularly among physicians, is crucial for the fine-tuning and continued success of influenza vaccination campaigns.We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 472 health workers in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, to inform subsequent subnational and national introductions of influenza vaccine and subsequent campaigns targeting health workers in 2019 (14302), 2020 (14872), and 2021 (24473). Using a purposive sample of university hospitals, general hospitals, rural, and urban health facilities, we interviewed a convenience sample of health workers aged 18 years and older. Physicians had the lowest intention to receive the influenza vaccine (58 %), while nurses (78 %) and midwives (76 %) were the most willing. Across all occupations, intention to receive vaccination increased if the vaccine was offered for free or if recommended by the Ministry of Health. 76 % of respondents believed that the influenza vaccine could prevent illness in health workers.Communication strategies, including about the benefits of influenza vaccination, could raise awareness and acceptance among health workers prior to vaccination campaigns. Influenza vaccination coverage rates between 2019 and 2021 were on par with rates of intention to receive vaccination in the 2018 survey; in 2019, 2020, and 2021, coverage among physicians was 73 %, 73 %, and 52 % and coverage among nurses and midwives was 86 %, 86 %, and 74 % respectively.Improving health workers’ knowledge and acceptance of the influenza vaccine, particularly among physicians, is crucial for the continued success of influenza vaccination campaigns.