Attitudes Towards Influenza Vaccination During "Wait Times" in the Emergency Department

Abstract

Influenza is a burdensome and preventable infectious disease. Lack of time was the reported reason 15% of Canadians did not receive their influenza vaccine in 2016/2017. Meanwhile, emergency department (ED) wait times are escalating. Offering the influenza vaccine during ED wait times could improve ease of access. The following cross-sectional study aimed to gauge public interest, health care provider (HCP) support, perceived barriers and facilitators to influenza vaccine availability at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre (QEII) ED in Halifax, NS. Anonymous questionnaires were completed by a convenience sample of low-acuity adult clients (n=150) and a convenience sample of ED nurses, physicians, and paramedics (n=82). Of the unvaccinated clients, 34.6% were willing to be vaccinated in the ED. Among HCPs, 82% support ED vaccination if time and resources were unlimited. However, this study revealed additional barriers that need to be addressed to effectively launch such a program.