Seasonal Influenza vaccination coverage among Egyptian HealthCare Workers in Fayoum University Hospitals: Influencing attitude, Barriers, and Relation with COVID-19

Background As the COVID-19 situation remain dynamic, there is a possibility of influenza and COVID-19 co-circulation. The World Health Organization has re-evaluated the prioritization of influenza risk groups such as HCWs. This study aimed to assess the coverage of influenza vaccination among HCWs over four consecutive flu seasons and to examine the barriers, motivators, and attitudes towards influenza vaccination among HCWs during the 2022-2023 flu season. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out using a pre-prepared, self-administered questionnaire. The study surveyed 304 HCWs at Fayoum University Hospitals.Result: The rate of influenza vaccine uptake increased from 15.8% during 2019-2020 flu season to 40.8% in the last season. The attitude score was greater for those who received a flu vaccination last season than for those who did not (39.93 ± 4.89 vs. 37.77 ± 5.50, p=0.001). SARS-CoV2 infection during the pandemic was significantly associated with vaccine uptake during the last flu season (2022-2023). Most respondents indicated that the flu vaccine would protect them or their families (93.5%). While the main perceived barrier was that the flu vaccine was not mandatory (55.0%). Multiple logistic regression analysis recognized that having COVID-19 during the pandemic (AOR =1.92, 95% CI: 1.07-3.47), and individuals who received the flu vaccine in 2021-2022 flu season (AOR = 6.53, 95% CI: 3.28 -12.98) to be significant predictors for the increased vaccine uptake during 2022-2023 flu season. Conclusion: Influenza vaccine coverage is suboptimal among HCWs due to inadequacy of knowledge and misperceptions and fears regarding vaccine efficacy and safety.