Journal Article Epublish
PubMed: 39569234 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.72043
Flu-Phobia: Influenza Vaccine Hesitancy in a Rural Primary Care Setting.
Cureus 16(10):e72043
Authors: Samantha M Lavertue, Richard Terry, Rachael Muggleton
Affiliations
- Family and Community Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Elmira, USA.
- Pediatrics, Albany Medical Center, Albany, USA.
- Family Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Elmira, USA.
- Family Medicine, Arnot Ogden Medical Center, Elmira, USA.
Abstract
The sentiments expressed by individuals, such as "I do not trust vaccines," "I do not believe in vaccines," and "I do not want a shot," are commonly encountered by physicians during the annual influenza season. This study investigates vaccine hesitancy regarding the influenza vaccine within a rural primary care setting in New York State. Observations of subjective comments from community members prompted an inquiry into whether the contentious discourse surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine has influenced patients' decisions about the influenza vaccination. We hypothesized that over 50% of patients would decline the influenza vaccine during the 2023-2024 season and that many would attribute their refusal to the controversies associated with the COVID-19 vaccine. The findings of the study revealed that while more than 50% of surveyed patients did indeed refuse the influenza vaccine, only a minority linked their decision to the COVID-19 vaccine controversy. This paper examines the attitudes of a rural community toward the influenza vaccine and proposes potential strategies to address future vaccination disparities.
MeSH
Phobic Disorders, Vaccines, Vaccination, Influenza, Human, Influenza Vaccines, Vaccination Hesitancy