Student nurses’ reasons behind the decision to receive or decline influenza vaccine: A cross-sectional survey

This cross-sectional questionnaire survey examined influenza vaccination among 430 student nurses. Only 12.2% (95% CI 9.1–15.3%) of student nurses received the seasonal vaccine regularly with 27.6% (95% CI 23.3–31.8%) ever having received seasonal or pandemic H1N1 vaccine. Intention to be vaccinated was associated with having previously been vaccinated (p < 0.001) but not whether the vaccine was perceived as beneficial (p = 0.36). Previous influenza illness was associated with having the influenza vaccine (p < 0.001). The most frequently reported reason for receiving the seasonal influenza vaccine was being deemed at risk (42.4%) and for H1N1 vaccine was because it was offered for free (32.6%). For both vaccines the most reported reason for not being vaccinated was a perception of it not being needed. Student nurses form a substantial and influential part of the future healthcare workforce but to translate the widely held acceptance that influenza vaccine is beneficial into actual uptake, a more targeted and persuasive message is needed.

► A quarter of student nurses have ever had influenza vaccine.
► Of those, only half do so regularly.
► Intention to be vaccinated was not associated with belief in vaccine effectiveness.
► The most cited reason for seasonal influenza vaccination was being deemed at risk.
► The most cited reason for not being vaccinated was belief that it was unnecessary.