COVID-19’s Impact on Willingness to Be Vaccinated against Influenza and COVID-19 during the 2020/2021 Season: Results from an Online Survey of Canadian Adults 50 Years and Older

There is considerable overlap in age-related risk factors for influenza and COVID-19. We explored the impact of the pandemic on anticipated influenza and COVID-19 vaccination behaviour in the 2020/2021 season. In May 2020, we conducted online surveys of Canadian adults 50 years and older via a marke...

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Main Authors: Nancy M. Waite, Jennifer A. Pereira, Sherilyn K. D. Houle, Vladimir Gilca, Melissa K. Andrew
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-04-01
Series:Vaccines
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/9/4/346
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author Nancy M. Waite
Jennifer A. Pereira
Sherilyn K. D. Houle
Vladimir Gilca
Melissa K. Andrew
author_facet Nancy M. Waite
Jennifer A. Pereira
Sherilyn K. D. Houle
Vladimir Gilca
Melissa K. Andrew
author_sort Nancy M. Waite
collection DOAJ
description There is considerable overlap in age-related risk factors for influenza and COVID-19. We explored the impact of the pandemic on anticipated influenza and COVID-19 vaccination behaviour in the 2020/2021 season. In May 2020, we conducted online surveys of Canadian adults 50 years and older via a market research panel platform, as part of a series of annual surveys to understand experiences with influenza. Given the current pandemic, respondents were also asked about COVID-19’s impact on their vaccination decision-making for the 2020/2021 season. Of 1001 respondents aged 50–64 years, 470 (47.0%) originally intended on receiving the influenza vaccine and still planned to do so, while 200 (20%) respondents who had planned to abstain now reported willingness to receive the vaccine due to COVID-19. In the 65+ age group, 2525 (72.1%) reported that they had planned to be vaccinated and that COVID-19 had not changed their mind, while 285 individuals (8.1%) reported that they had initially planned to forgo the vaccine but now intended to receive it. Reasons for this change included COVID-19’s demonstration of the devastating potential of viruses; and to protect against influenza, and decrease vulnerability to COVID-19. If the COVID-19 vaccine was available, 69.1% of 50–64 year olds and 79.5% of those 65 years and older reported they would opt to receive it. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a sobering demonstration of the dangers of infectious disease, and the value of vaccines, with implications for influenza and COVID-19 immunization programs.
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spelling doaj.art-83f24344f09c406496c6f65d90bd884d2023-11-21T14:14:47ZengMDPI AGVaccines2076-393X2021-04-019434610.3390/vaccines9040346COVID-19’s Impact on Willingness to Be Vaccinated against Influenza and COVID-19 during the 2020/2021 Season: Results from an Online Survey of Canadian Adults 50 Years and OlderNancy M. Waite0Jennifer A. Pereira1Sherilyn K. D. Houle2Vladimir Gilca3Melissa K. Andrew4School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, Kitchener, ON N2G 1C5, CanadaJRL Research & Consulting Inc., Mississauga, ON L5G 0A3, CanadaSchool of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, Kitchener, ON N2G 1C5, CanadaInstitut National de Sante Publique du Quebec, Laval University, Quebec City, QC G1E 7G9, CanadaDepartment of Medicine (Geriatrics), Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 2E1, CanadaThere is considerable overlap in age-related risk factors for influenza and COVID-19. We explored the impact of the pandemic on anticipated influenza and COVID-19 vaccination behaviour in the 2020/2021 season. In May 2020, we conducted online surveys of Canadian adults 50 years and older via a market research panel platform, as part of a series of annual surveys to understand experiences with influenza. Given the current pandemic, respondents were also asked about COVID-19’s impact on their vaccination decision-making for the 2020/2021 season. Of 1001 respondents aged 50–64 years, 470 (47.0%) originally intended on receiving the influenza vaccine and still planned to do so, while 200 (20%) respondents who had planned to abstain now reported willingness to receive the vaccine due to COVID-19. In the 65+ age group, 2525 (72.1%) reported that they had planned to be vaccinated and that COVID-19 had not changed their mind, while 285 individuals (8.1%) reported that they had initially planned to forgo the vaccine but now intended to receive it. Reasons for this change included COVID-19’s demonstration of the devastating potential of viruses; and to protect against influenza, and decrease vulnerability to COVID-19. If the COVID-19 vaccine was available, 69.1% of 50–64 year olds and 79.5% of those 65 years and older reported they would opt to receive it. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a sobering demonstration of the dangers of infectious disease, and the value of vaccines, with implications for influenza and COVID-19 immunization programs.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/9/4/346influenzaCOVIDolder adultsdecision-makingsurvey
spellingShingle Nancy M. Waite
Jennifer A. Pereira
Sherilyn K. D. Houle
Vladimir Gilca
Melissa K. Andrew
COVID-19’s Impact on Willingness to Be Vaccinated against Influenza and COVID-19 during the 2020/2021 Season: Results from an Online Survey of Canadian Adults 50 Years and Older
Vaccines
influenza
COVID
older adults
decision-making
survey
title COVID-19’s Impact on Willingness to Be Vaccinated against Influenza and COVID-19 during the 2020/2021 Season: Results from an Online Survey of Canadian Adults 50 Years and Older
title_full COVID-19’s Impact on Willingness to Be Vaccinated against Influenza and COVID-19 during the 2020/2021 Season: Results from an Online Survey of Canadian Adults 50 Years and Older
title_fullStr COVID-19’s Impact on Willingness to Be Vaccinated against Influenza and COVID-19 during the 2020/2021 Season: Results from an Online Survey of Canadian Adults 50 Years and Older
title_full_unstemmed COVID-19’s Impact on Willingness to Be Vaccinated against Influenza and COVID-19 during the 2020/2021 Season: Results from an Online Survey of Canadian Adults 50 Years and Older
title_short COVID-19’s Impact on Willingness to Be Vaccinated against Influenza and COVID-19 during the 2020/2021 Season: Results from an Online Survey of Canadian Adults 50 Years and Older
title_sort covid 19 s impact on willingness to be vaccinated against influenza and covid 19 during the 2020 2021 season results from an online survey of canadian adults 50 years and older
topic influenza
COVID
older adults
decision-making
survey
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/9/4/346
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