Seasonal influenza vaccination predicts pandemic H1N1 vaccination uptake among healthcare workers in three countries

► The uptake of 2009 pandemic influenza vaccine among healthcare workers is poor. ► Previous seasonal vaccination is a strong predictor for accepting pandemic vaccine. ► Overestimation of side effect is a key barrier to vaccination. ► Mass media rather than scientific publication is the primary of vaccine information. ► Only a small proportion of healthcare workers agree with mandatory vaccination.