Not All Conservatives Are Vaccine Hesitant: Examining the Influence of Misinformation Exposure, Political Ideology, and Flu Vaccine Acceptance on COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy.

Despite the mass availability of COVID-19 vaccines in the United States, many Americans are still reluctant to take a vaccine as an outcome from exposure to misinformation. Additionally, while scholars have paid attention to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, the influence of general vaccine hesitancy for important viruses such as the flu has largely been ignored. Using nationally representative data from Pew Research Center's American Trends Panel survey (Wave 79), this study examined the relationship between perceived misinformation exposure, COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, flu vaccine acceptance, political ideology, and demographic trends. The findings suggest that those who accepted the flu vaccine were less likely to be COVID-19 vaccine-hesitant. In addition, moderation analyses showed that perceived misinformation exposure increases COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy for conservatives and moderates but not for liberals. However, perceived misinformation exposure influences COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among conservatives only if they are also flu vaccine-hesitant. Perceived misinformation exposure has no role in COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy if individuals (irrespective of political ideology) are regular with their flu vaccine. The results suggest that the effect of misinformation exposure on negative attitudes toward COVID-19 may be associated with generalized vaccine hesitancy (e.g., flu). The practical and theoretical implications are discussed.

Influenza vaccination for hospital Employees: A 3-year success-story of a flu-pod drive-thru at a Veterans affairs medical center.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends all healthcare practitioners and hospital staff receive an annual influenza vaccination. Many challenges were noted in achieving this goal; especially during the last 2 influenza seasons throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past 3 years our institution has implemented a Drive-Thru fixed Point of Distribution (POD) event for this purpose. Drive-Thru PODs can be a safe and effective strategy for employee vaccination during a pandemic.

The Role of Needle Fear in Pediatric Flu Vaccine Hesitancy: A Cross-Sectional Study in Bologna Metropolitan Area.

(1) Background: vaccination is the most effective way to prevent influenza and reduce its complications. The main aim of the study is to assess a possible increase of parents'/caregivers' pediatric flu vaccination adherence due to a nasal administration as an alternative to injection in Bologna. (2) Methods: 169 parents/guardians of children who were joining the COVID-19 pediatric vaccination session in Bologna were interviewed. The results were summarized using descriptive statistics. A multiple logistic regression model was used to assess the determinants of the change in flu vaccine uptake if offered without injection administration. All analyses were conducted using STATA and R-Studio software. (3) Results: Only 29.0% of parents were informed about pediatric flu vaccination by pediatricians, and 32.5% heard about pediatric flu vaccination. Almost 72.2% of parents declared that they would not have their children vaccinated against influenza. Thus, 40.2% of them changed their opinion after being informed about the existence of a non-injective vaccine. Needle fear in children turned out to be a determinant of this opinion change (OR = 3.79; 95% CI = 1.63-9.43; p = 0.003). (4) Conclusions: the study has confirmed that needle fear is a determinant of vaccine hesitancy and that a different method of administration may increase parents'/guardians' adherence.

Understanding Chinese international students' perception of flu vaccination on U.S. college campuses.

Objective: This study examines Chinese international students' underlying beliefs and overall perception of the flu vaccination to inform effective health promotion efforts on U.S. college campuses. Participants: Data were collected in March 2020. Participants (N = 189) were recruited via email at a southeastern university in the U.S. Methods: Incorporating theory recommendations and recent vaccine-related research findings, this study designs a Four-Factor Measurement Model through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to examine Chinese international students' perception of flu vaccination. Results: Chinese international students' health beliefs, particularly their perceived susceptibility of the influenza virus, was the most important factor to explain their perception of flu vaccination. While normative beliefs were the least influential factor to account for Chinese international students' perception of flu vaccination, these students valued healthcare providers' opinions immensely. Conclusions: This study suggests the Four-Factor Measurement Model will help measure Chinese international students' perception of flu vaccination and can be applied to future vaccine-related research.

Risk factors for the development of the disease and predictors of the severity of the course of COVID-19 of the first and second waves in military sailors serving in the Arctic zone of Russia.

The scientific literature still does not cover the specifics of the course of a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in military personnel, the risk factors for the development and severe course of the disease are poorly studied. Purpose of the study. To determine the risk factors for the development of the disease and predictors of the severity of COVID-19 in military sailors serving in the Arctic zone of Russia. Material and methods. In June-July 2021, a retrospective cross-sectional medical and sociological study of a group of 265 military sailors serving in the Arctic zone of Russia was carried out. The results were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test, contingency tables for calculating odds ratios, and simple binary logistic regression analysis (SBLRA). Results. There were no statistically significant differences in the prevalence of smoking among military personnel depending on the presence of COVID-19 in history (U=8162.5, p=0.363). The diagnosis of COVID-19 was laboratory verified in 47 (40.9%) of 115 respondents who reported having had COVID-19. The disease was asymptomatic or mild in 61.8% of the surveyed military sailors. The mean duration of treatment was statistically significantly (U=697.00, p<0.001) longer in respondents who had a positive laboratory test for COVID-19. A series of SBLRA procedures revealed a statistically significant relationship between influenza vaccination in the fall of 2019 and a history of first or second wave COVID-19 in respondents. Respondent age over 35 is associated with a higher chance;higher education - with a lower chance of moderate or severe COVID-19. Conclusion. The vast majority (88.7%) of those who recovered from COVID-19 by the summer of 2021 had signs of post-COVID syndrome, including asthenia (56.5%), shortness of breath (38.3%), dyssomnia (17.4%) and arthralgia (15.7%). As a risk factor for a more severe course of the disease, the respondent's age is over 35 years and the lack of higher education. (English) [ FROM AUTHOR] В научной литературе все еще недостаточно освещены вопросы особенностей протекания новой коронавирусной инфекции (COVID-19) у военнослужащих, мало изучены факторы риска развития и тяжелого течения заболевания. Цель исследования. Определить факторы риска развития заболевания и предикторы тяжести течения COVID-19 у военных моряков, проходящих службу в Арктической зоне России. Материал и методы. В июне-июле 2021 г. проведено ретроспективное поперечное медико-социологическое исследование группы из 265 военных моряков, проходящих службу в условиях Арктической зоны России. Результаты проанализированы с использованием критерия Манна-Уитни, построения таблиц сопряженности для расчета отношения шансов, простого бинарного логистического регрессионного анализа (ПБЛРА). Результаты. Статистически значимые различия распространенности курения среди военнослужащих в зависимости от наличия COVID-19 в анамнезе не выявлены (U=8162,5, p=0,363). Диагноз COVID-19 лабораторно верифицирован у 47 (40,9%) из 115 респондентов, сообщивших о перенесенном COVID-19. Перенесли заболевание бессимптомно или в легкой форме 61,8% опрошенных военных моряков. Средняя продолжительность лечения была статистически значимо (U=697,00, p<0,001) выше у респондентов, имевших положительный результат лабораторного теста на COVID-19. Серия процедур ПБЛРА выявила статистически значимую взаимосвязь между вакцинацией от гриппа осенью 2019 г. и наличием в анамнезе у респондентов COVID-19 первой или второй волны. Возраст респондента старше 35 лет связан с более высоким шансом;наличие высшего образования - с более низким шансом среднетяжелого или тяжелого течения COVID-19. Заключение. Подавляющее большинство (88,7%) переболевших COVID-19 к лету 2021 г. имели признаки постковидного синдрома, в том числе астении (56,5%), одышки (38,3%), диссомнии (17,4%) и артралгии (15,7%). В качестве фактора риска более тяжелого течения заболевания установлены возраст респондента старше 35 лет и отсутствие высшего образования. (Russian) [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Profilakticheskaya Meditsina is the property of Media Sphere Publishing House and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

Universal Flu mRNA Vaccine: Promises, Prospects, and Problems.

The seasonal flu vaccine is, essentially, the only known way to prevent influenza epidemics. However, this approach has limited efficacy due to the high diversity of influenza viruses. Several techniques could potentially overcome this obstacle. A recent first-in-human study of a chimeric hemagglutinin-based universal influenza virus vaccine demonstrated promising results. The coronavirus pandemic triggered the development of fundamentally new vaccine platforms that have demonstrated their effectiveness in humans. Currently, there are around a dozen messenger RNA and self-amplifying RNA flu vaccines in clinical or preclinical trials. However, the applicability of novel approaches for a universal influenza vaccine creation remains unclear. The current review aims to cover the current state of this problem and to suggest future directions for RNA-based flu vaccine development.

Increasing Seasonal Influenza Vaccination among University Students: A Systematic Review of Programs Using a Social Marketing Perspective.

The health and economic consequences of seasonal influenza present great costs to communities. Promoting voluntary uptake of the seasonal influenza vaccine among university students, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, can deliver protective effects for both individuals and the wider community. Vaccine uptake will be greatest when more of the social marketing benchmarks are applied. This systematic review summarizes evidence from programs aiming to increase seasonal influenza vaccination among university students. Six major electronic databases for health promotion studies (PubMed, EBSCO, ProQuest, Ovid, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect) were searched in November 2021 to capture peer-reviewed studies reporting field trials that have sought to increase seasonal influenza vaccination in university student populations, without any restrictions regarding the publication period. Following PRISMA guidelines, this paper identified 12 peer-reviewed studies that were conducted in the field in the United States, Australia, and Spain. Three studies were targeted at healthcare students and the rest focused on wider university student populations. Studies were narratively summarized, evidence of social marketing principles were identified, and quantitative outcomes were meta-analyzed. The findings indicate that none of the field studies, even a self-classified social marketing study, had adopted all eight of the social marketing benchmarks in program design and implementation. The two studies that only used promotion, but not other marketing-mix and social marketing principles, reported increases in students' intention to be vaccinated but not actual behavior. Given that change is more likely when more social benchmarks are applied, this paper identifies activities that can be included in flu vaccine programs to improve flu vaccine uptake rates. The analysis highlights a lack of field studies focusing on increasing rates of vaccination behavior as research outcomes in countries beyond the United States.

Non-COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among migrant populations worldwide: a scoping review of the literature, 2000-2020.

INTRODUCTION: Migration can be linked to the transmission of vaccine-preventable diseases. Hence, monitoring migrants' vaccination-related concerns can inform needed interventions to support vaccine acceptance. AREAS COVERED: Along with Google and Google Scholar, we searched 13 bibliographic databases between 1 January 2000 and 10 October 2020, to identify published studies of vaccine hesitancy among migrant populations. From a total of 8,915 records, we screened 745 abstracts and included 112 eligible articles. We summarized extracted data using figures, tables, and narrations. Of the 112 articles, 109 were original quantitative (48%), qualitative (45%), and mixed-methods (7%) research, originating mainly from the United States (US) (68%), the United Kingdom (UK) (12%), and Scandinavia (6%). Most articles addressed human papillomavirus (63%), measles (13%), and influenzas (9%) vaccinations, and the leading sponsor of funded research was the US National Institutes of Health (50%). Discernable migrant groups with vaccine-specific concerns included Somali diasporas, UK-based Poles and Romanians, and US-based Haitians and Koreans. Among US-based Latina/Latino immigrants, lower vaccine uptake frequency was mostly associated with awareness levels, knowledge gaps, and uninsured status. EXPERT OPINION: Migrants' vaccine-related apprehensions may cascade well beyond their proximate social connections and influence vaccine attitudes and behaviors in their countries-of-origin.

The Influence of COVID-19 on Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus Activities.

Background: Respiratory viral diseases have considerably declined since the COVID-19 outbreak, perhaps through influence by nonpharmaceutical interventions. We conducted a cross-sectional study using the CDC database to compare the pre- vs. post-pandemic flu activity (incidence) between the US states. Our secondary objectives were to estimate the association between flu activity and flu vaccination rates and compare the national trends of flu and RSV activities since the pandemic outbreak. Methods: We estimated the difference between pre-pandemic (April 2019-March 2020) and post-pandemic (April 2020-March 2021) flu activity between individual states using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The association between flu activity and immunization rates was also measured. Finally, parallel time trend graphs for flu and RSV activities were illustrated with a time series modeler. Results: The median (IQR) pre-pandemic flu activity was 4.10 (1.38), higher than the post-pandemic activity (1.38 (0.71)) (p-value < 0.001). There was no difference between pre-pandemic (45.50% (39.10%)) and post-pandemic (45.0% (19.84%)) flu vaccine acceptance (p-value > 0.05). Flu activity and vaccination rates were not associated (p-value > 0.05). Flu activity has declined since the COVID-19 outbreak, while RSV made a strong comeback in June 2021. Conclusion: Flu activity has significantly diminished throughout the pandemic while a sudden upsurge in RSV is a public health concern indicative of possible resurgence of other viruses. Flu vaccine acceptance neither changed during the pandemic nor influenced the diminished Flu activity.

The Global Interest in Vaccines and Its Prediction and Perspectives in the Era of COVID-19. Real-Time Surveillance Using Google Trends.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has globally overwhelmed all sectors of life. The fast development of vaccines against COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the course of the pandemic. METHODS: Global data from Google Trends was analyzed for vaccines against flu, BCG, HPV, pneumococcal disease, polio, and COVID-19. The time frame includes the last five-year period starting from 17 April 2016. Multiple training of time series models with back testing, including Holt-Winters forecasting, Exponential Smoothing State Space, Linear model with trend and seasonal components (tlsm), and ARIMA was conducted. Forecasting according to the best fitting model was performed. RESULTS: Correlation analysis did not reveal a decrease in interest in vaccines during the analyzed period. The prediction models provided a short-term forecast of the dynamics of interest for flu, HPV, pneumococcal and polio vaccines with 5-10% growth in interest for the first quarter of 2022 when compared to the same quarter of 2021. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the huge interest in the COVID-19 vaccine, there has not been a detectable decline in the overall interest in the five analyzed vaccines.

A Quality Improvement Project to Improve Influenza Vaccination Rates Among Employees at an Onsite Employer-Based Health Clinic.

BACKGROUND: In the United States, millions of people contract the flu each year. Immunization has been shown to provide the best protection against the flu. Increasing flu vaccination rates can reduce the number of patients who get the flu and seek care for non-specific symptoms thus making detection of the coronavirus more efficient. METHOD: A quality improvement project was implemented to increase the number of influenza vaccines received by employees at an onsite employer-based health clinic. Anonymous pre- and post-surveys were used to assess the flu knowledge of employees. Employees from a large financial group, who voluntarily participated, received an educational handout at the onsite health fair or at a lunch and learn. Full-time employees who carried their employer's health insurance were eligible to participate, whereas, dependents and contract employees were excluded. FINDINGS: The number of employees who received the vaccination increased during the fall of 2019 (n = 406) when compared with the previous year (n = 337). Nineteen percent (n = 170) of employees completed surveys. There were statistically significantly more post- than pre-survey responses reflecting the participants' perceived knowledge of influenza and the flu vaccine. The majority of participants in both the pre- and post-surveys reported that they learned "a lot" about both influenza and the flu vaccine. CONCLUSION: Providing education and access to the vaccine in the workplace may improve flu knowledge, reduce barriers, and increase flu vaccine uptake among employees.

A Comparison of the Level of Acceptance and Hesitancy towards the Influenza Vaccine and the Forthcoming COVID-19 Vaccine in the Medical Community.

Despite research conducted worldwide, there is no treatment specifically targeting SARS-CoV-2 infection with efficacy proven by randomized controlled trials. A chance for a breakthrough is vaccinating most of the global population. Public opinion surveys on vaccine hesitancy prompted our team to investigate Polish healthcare workers' (HCWs) attitudes towards the SARS-CoV-2 and influenza vaccinations. In-person and online surveys of HCWs: doctors, nurses, medical students, and other allied health professionals (n = 419) were conducted between 14 September 2020 and 5 November 2020. In our study, 68.7% of respondents would like to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccinations would persuade 86.3% of hesitant and those who would refuse to be vaccinated. 3.1% of all respondents claimed that no argument would convince them to get vaccinated. 61.6% of respondents declared a willingness to receive an influenza vaccination, of which 83.3% were also inclined to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. Although most respondents-62.5% (262/419) indicated they trusted in the influenza vaccine more, more respondents intended to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in the 2020/2021 season. The study is limited by its nonrandom sample of HCWs but provides a preliminary description of attitudes towards SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.

T Cell Immunity against Influenza: The Long Way from Animal Models Towards a Real-Life Universal Flu Vaccine.

Current flu vaccines rely on the induction of strain-specific neutralizing antibodies, which leaves the population vulnerable to drifted seasonal or newly emerged pandemic strains. Therefore, universal flu vaccine approaches that induce broad immunity against conserved parts of influenza have top priority in research. Cross-reactive T cell responses, especially tissue-resident memory T cells in the respiratory tract, provide efficient heterologous immunity, and must therefore be a key component of universal flu vaccines. Here, we review recent findings about T cell-based flu immunity, with an emphasis on tissue-resident memory T cells in the respiratory tract of humans and different animal models. Furthermore, we provide an update on preclinical and clinical studies evaluating T cell-evoking flu vaccines, and discuss the implementation of T cell immunity in real-life vaccine policies.

Associations of COVID-19 risk perception with vaccine hesitancy over time for Italian residents.

RATIONALE: Many countries were and are still struggling with the COVID-19 emergency. Despite efforts to limit the viral transmission, the vaccine is the only solution to ending the pandemic. However, vaccine hesitancy could reduce coverage and hinder herd immunity. OBJECTIVE: People's intention to get vaccinated can be shaped by several factors, including risk perception which, in turn, is influenced by affect. The present work aimed at investigating how risk perception and some factors associated with the decision to comply with vaccination modulated vaccine acceptance for COVID-19 as compared to seasonal influenza, and how these have varied during the lockdown phases. METHOD: The study followed the main phases of the emergency in Italy, investigating the intention to get vaccinated against flu and against SARS-CoV-2 (if a vaccine was available) before, during and after the first national lockdown, covering the period from the end of February to the end of June 2020. We investigated the effect of risk perception and other predictors on the decision of getting vaccinated. RESULTS: Compared to the pre-lockdown phase, during the lockdown more people were willing to get vaccinated for COVID-19, regardless of their beliefs about vaccines, and as risk perception increased, so did the intention to accept the vaccine. The acceptance of the flu vaccine increased after the re-opening phase. In addition, the intention to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and against flu increased if there was previous flu vaccination behavior but decreased with increasing doubts about the vaccines in general. CONCLUSIONS: The observation of vaccination intentions across the three main phases of the emergency allows important considerations regarding psychological, affect, and demographic determinants useful to tailor public health communication to improve public response to future epidemics.

Intention to get vaccinations against COVID-19 in French healthcare workers during the first pandemic wave: a cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic and identified as a priority target group for COVID-19 vaccines. We aimed to determine COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate in HCWs in France. METHODS: We conducted an anonymous survey from 26th March to 2nd July 2020. The primary endpoint was the intention to get vaccinated against COVID-19 if a vaccine was available. RESULTS: Two-thousand and forty-seven HCWs answered the survey; women accounted for 74% of respondents. Among respondents, 1.554 (76.9%, 95% confidence interval 75.1-78.9) would accept a COVID-19 vaccine. Older age, male gender, fear about COVID-19, individual perceived risk and flu vaccination during previous season were associated with hypothetical COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Nurses and assistant nurses were less prone to accept vaccination against COVID-19 than physicians. Vaccine hesitancy was associated with a decrease in COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Flu vaccine rate was 57.3% during the previous season, and 54.6% of the respondents had the intention to get a flu vaccine during the next season. CONCLUSIONS: Intention to get vaccinated against COVID-19 reached 75% in HCWs with discrepancies between occupational categories. COVID-19 pandemic had no positive effect on flu vaccine acceptance rate.