Seasonal influenza vaccine coverage, intention, motivators and barriers among Algerian healthcare workers

INTRODUCTIONThe purpose of this study was to evaluate Algerian healthcare professionals' uptake and intentions regarding seasonal flu vaccination and to describe the factors of willingness or rejection.METHODS Between 28 December 2022 and 29 May 2023, a cross-sectional survey was conducted online using various social networking channels with a particular focus on Algerian healthcare personnel.RESULTS Overall, the participants demonstrated a high level of correct knowledge about influenza (85.89%), and the nature and benefits of the influenza vaccine (72.7%).However, despite the interesting level of vaccine acceptance (58%), the rate of uptake remains lower than the targeted coverage level.Motivators of vaccine acceptance include the prevention of family (98.5%) or patients (95.5%), while barriers are multiple mainly including the fear of side effects, the effectiveness of the diseases and other beliefs related to the severity of the disease, and the economic benefits of laboratories.Medical staff (OR=2.34;95% CI: 1.02-5.35)and those who had the COVID-19 vaccine (OR=2.90;95% CI: 1.29-6.54)were more likely to accept the flu vaccine.CONCLUSIONS The current study provides data on influenza vaccination intention, uptake, and predictors in Algeria.The results indicated a low level of vaccine uptake while vaccine acceptance was reported by about two-thirds of participants.Within our sample, factors associated with vaccine acceptance mainly included the medical profession and COVID-19 vaccine uptake.