Skip to main content
Log in

Do People Who Intend to Get a Flu Shot Actually Get One?

Journal of General Internal Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Vaccination against seasonal influenza is far from universal among groups specifically recommended for vaccine. There is little research to guide communication with patients about vaccination.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the utility of the self-reported intention to be vaccinated against seasonal influenza in predicting vaccine uptake, reasons for being unvaccinated, and willingness to be vaccinated based on a doctor’s recommendation.

METHODS

We analyzed data from a subset of respondents (n = 1,527) specifically recommended by the ACIP for vaccination against seasonal influenza who participated in two national surveys of adults age 18 and older conducted in November 2008 and March 2009.

RESULTS

Over half who intended to be vaccinated had been vaccinated. Compared to those without intentions, those with intentions were one-fifth as likely (p < 0.01) to cite lack of need and five times more likely (p < 0.01) to cite “not getting around to being vaccinated” as main reasons for not being vaccinated. Roughly two-fifths of those without the intention to be vaccinated indicated a willingness to be vaccinated based on a doctor’s recommendation.

CONCLUSIONS

Asking simple questions about the intention to be vaccinated against seasonal influenza may be an efficient means of identifying patients with whom extended discussion of vaccine benefits is warranted.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Fiore AE, Shay DK, Broder K, Iskander JK, Uyeki TM, Mootrey G, et al. Prevention and control of influenza: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2008. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2008;57(RR-7):1–60.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. U.S. Census Bureau. Resident population: national population estimates for the 2000s, 2008; Available from: http://www.census.gov/popest/national/asrh/2007-nat-res.html. Accessed August 24, 2009.

  3. Poland GA, Shefer AM, McCauley M, Webster PS, Whitley-Williams PN, Peter G. Standards for adult immunization practices. Am J Prev Med. 2003;25(2):144–50.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Sheridan S, Harris R, Woolf S. Current methods of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: a review of the process (for the Shared Decision-making Workgroup. Third U.S. Preventive Services Task Force). Am J Prev Med. 2004;26(1):56–66.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Coulter A. Partnerships with patients: the pros and cons of shared clinical decision-making. J Health Serv Res Policy. 1997;2(2):112–21.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Deber RB, Kraetschmer N, Irvine J. What role do patients wish to play in treatment decision making? Arch Intern Med. 1996;156(13):1414–20.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Knowledge Networks. Knowledge Networks Methodology, http://www.knowledgenetworks.com/ganp/docs/Knowledge%20Networks%20Methodology.pdf. Accessed August 24, 2009.

  8. Dennis J, DiSorga C. Meeting the challenge of cell phone-only households, young adults and minorities: Introducing Address-Based Sampling to KnowledgePanel®. 2009, Knowledge Networks. www.knowledgenetworks.com/accuracy/spring2009/Dennis-DiSogra-Graham-spring09.html. Accessed August 24, 2009.

  9. Harris KM, Schonlau M, Lurie N. Surveying a nationally representative internet-based panel to obtain timely estimates of influenza vaccination rates. Vaccine. 2009;27(6):815–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Harris K, Maurer J, Lurie N. Midseason Influenza Vaccine Use by Adults in the U.S.: Detailed Survey Data Tables (OP-241/1-GSK). Santa Monica: RAND Corporation; 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Harris K, Maurer J, Lurie N. Influenza Vaccine Use by Adults in the U.S.: Detailed Survey Data Tables for the 2008–2009 Vaccination Season (OP-270/1-GSK). Santa Monica: RAND Corporation; 2008.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgement

We received funding from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to collect the survey data used in this study. The funding was provided, and the project conducted, without consideration of specific GSK products. GSK played no role in the selection and design of the analysis presented here, the development of the findings, or the review or approval of this manuscript. RAND retains full ownership and control over the data collected as part of its contract with GSK. The authors wish to thank Robert Brook for his thoughtful comments on an earlier draft of this manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Katherine M. Harris PhD.

Additional information

Dr. Lurie was an employee of the RAND Corporation in Arlington, VA at the time the study reported here was conducted and this manuscript originally submitted.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Harris, K.M., Maurer, J. & Lurie, N. Do People Who Intend to Get a Flu Shot Actually Get One?. J GEN INTERN MED 24, 1311–1313 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-009-1126-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-009-1126-2

KEY WORDS

Navigation