D2.536 - Seasonal Influenza Vaccination: Uptake Rate, Profile, and Motivating Factors Among Healthcare Workers

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are key to preventing influenza transmission, yet vaccination uptake remains suboptimal, especially in resource-limited settings.

Cross-sectional survey (Feb–Mar 2021) among HCWs offered seasonal influenza vaccine during the 2020–2021 campaign at Sousse University Hospital. An anonymous questionnaire assessed sociodemographics, perceptions, and motivations.

Vaccination coverage was only 9.4% (n = 133 respondents). Vaccinated HCWs were older (mean age 46.8 years), predominantly female (73%), and more often physicians (57.9%), nurses (28.5%), or allied health staff (27.8%). Frequent patient contact correlated with uptake (60.8%). The COVID-19 pandemic influenced 98.5% of decisions. Primary motivations were altruistic: protecting patients (48.1%) and children (48.1%), followed by family (46%) and colleagues (46%).

Despite strong altruistic intent, influenza vaccine uptake among HCWs is critically low. Institutional campaigns must leverage these motivations through accessible, trust-based strategies to improve coverage and patient safety.