Influenza vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among adults hospitalized with severe acute respiratory illnesses, United States 2019-2020

Introduction: Understanding patient factors associated with not being vaccinated is essential for successful implementation of influenza vaccination programs.

Methods: We enrolled adults hospitalized with severe acute respiratory illness at 10 United States (US) hospitals during the 2019-2020 influenza season. We interviewed patients to collect data about influenza vaccination, sociodemographic characteristics, and vaccine perceptions.

Results: Among 679 participants, 264 (38.9%) reported not receiving influenza vaccination. Among those not vaccinated, 135 (51.1%) reported choosing not to receive a vaccine because of perceived ineffectiveness (36.7%) or risk (14.4%) of influenza vaccination. Sociodemographic factors associated with not being vaccinated included no medical insurance (aOR = 6.42; 95% CI: 2.52-16.38) and being non-White or Hispanic (aOR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.02-2.32).

Conclusions: Optimizing uptake of influenza vaccination in the US may be improved by educational programs regarding vaccine safety and effectiveness and enhancing vaccine access, particularly among non-White and Hispanic Americans and those without medical insurance.