# Factors Explaining Responses to Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccination Among Nurses in Israel

## TL;DR

This study explores why Israeli nurses had lower influenza vaccination rates compared to previous years during the pandemic, focusing on factors like perceived risk and vaccine benefits.

## Contribution

The study identifies distinct psychological and demographic factors influencing influenza and COVID-19 vaccination compliance among nurses.

## Key findings

- Perceived susceptibility and severity were stronger predictors of influenza vaccination than for COVID-19.
- Older and more experienced nurses were more likely to be vaccinated for COVID-19.
- Female nurses reported higher perceived susceptibility and severity for both diseases.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: During the COVID-19 pandemic, influenza vaccination compliance among nurses in Israel was significantly lower than in previous years. This study sought to evaluate factors associated with vaccination compliance. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey conducted in March-April 2022 among 386 Israeli nurses examined perceived disease threat, vaccination barriers, perceived vaccine benefits, attitudes, and subjective norms/social influences. Results: During the 2021/2022 winter season, the vaccination rate for COVID-19 was higher than for influenza (68.4% vs. 61.9%). For both, vaccination compliance was positively associated with perceived susceptibility and severity, perceived benefits, and supporting attitude and negatively associated with barriers. The odds for COVID-19 vaccination were higher among older (OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.02, 1.07, p < 0.001) and more experienced nurses (age and years of experience, r = 0.89, p < 0.001). For both, perceived susceptibility and severity were higher among female nurses (influenza M = 3.29 SD = 0.88; COVID-19 M = 3.65 SD = 0.83) than male nurses (influenza M = 3.03 SD = 0.90; COVID-19 M = 3.32 SD = 0.83). A model assessing the associations between COVID-19-related variables and influenza vaccination compliance found that higher perceived susceptibility and severity regarding COVID-19, lower perceived barriers to COVID-19 vaccination, and more supportive attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination were related to a greater likelihood of influenza vaccination compliance. Conclusions: Perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, and attitudes made a significantly greater contribution to influenza vaccination than to COVID-19 vaccination, whereas perceived benefits made a significantly greater contribution to COVID-19 vaccination than to influenza vaccination.