Acceptance of a Vaccine Against Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Among Health Care Workers in Two Major Cities in Mexico

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Alejandra Esteves-Jaramillo, Emory University; Saad B Omer, Emory University; Esteban Gonzalez-Diaz, Emory University; Daniel A. Salmon, Department of Health and Human Services; Brooke Hixson, Emory University; Francisco Navarro, Ministry of Health, Mexico City; Simon Kawa–Karasik, Ministry of Health, Mexico City; Paula Frew, Emory University; Rayo Morfin-Otero, Hospital Civil de Guadalajara; Eduardo Rodriguez Noriega, Hospital Civil de Guadalajara; Ylean Ramirez, Hospital General de Mexico; Araceli Rosas, Ministry of Health, Mexico City; Edgar Acosta, Hospital Civil de Guadalajara; Vianey Varela Badillo, Hospital Civil de Guadalajara; Carlos Del Rio, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2009-11
• Publisher: Elsevier: 12 months
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2009 IMSS. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommerical-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.crossref.org/10.1016%2Fj.arcmed.2010.01.004
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Archives of Medical Research
• ISSN: 0188-4409
• Volume: 40
• Issue: 8
• Start Page: 705
• End Page: 711
• Grant/Funding Information: This study was supported in part by the NIH/FIC (Emory AITRP D43 TW0142).
• Keywords: Health care workers; Influenza A (H1N1) virus; Vaccine acceptance
• Research Categories: Chemistry, Biochemistry; Biology, Virology

Abstract

Background and Aims Further cases of novel influenza A (H1N1) outbreak are expected in the coming months. Vaccination has been proven to be essential to control a pandemic of influenza; therefore, considerable efforts and resources have been devoted to develop a vaccine against the influenza A (H1N1) virus. With the current availability of the vaccine, it will be important to immunize as many people as possible. However, previous data with seasonal influenza vaccines have shown that there are multiple barriers related to perceptions and attitudes of the population that influence vaccine use. The aim of the study was to evaluate the acceptance of a newly developed vaccine against pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza A among healthcare workers (HCW) in Mexico. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study among HCW in three hospitals in the two largest cities in Mexico—Mexico City and Guadalajara—between June and September 2009. Results A total of 1097 HCW participated in the survey. Overall, 80% (n = 880) intended to accept the H1N1 pandemic vaccine and 71.6% (n = 786) reported they would recommend the vaccine to their patients. Doctors were more likely to accept and recommend the vaccine than nurses. HCWs who intend to be immunized will be more likely to do so if they know that the vaccine is safe and effective. Conclusions Knowledge of the willingness to accept the vaccine can be used to plan strategies that will effectively respond to the needs of the population studied, reducing the health and economic impact of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus.