Changes in the attitude of health care professionals towards influenza vaccination after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: To analyse the attitude of health professionals towards influenza vaccination before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to identify differences between them and with respect to sociodemographic and occupational variables.

Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study comparing the results of the 2017-2018 and 2020-2021 influenza vaccination campaigns. Sociodemographic, occupational, and vaccination-related variables were collected. A descriptive and bivariate analysis were performed, as well as a binary logistic regression model.

Results: A total of 973 health professionals participated, with an average age of 41,13 (SD 11,16), showing a higher prevalence of vaccination during the 2020-2021 season (OR=1,04; IC 95% 1,03-1,05; P<,001). The percentage of men who were vaccinated was higher in the 2020-2021 campaign (P=.02), in which a greater number of professionals with a non-stable contract (P<.001) and lower mean age (P=.03) were also vaccinated. There were multiple statistical differences when comparing the reasons for accepting or refusing the vaccine, with more people being more likely to be vaccinated during the pandemic if there was a favourable atmosphere in the work or family environment (P<.001).

Conclusions: Health professionals' attitude towards influenza vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic showed better results than the previous campaign, with a higher number of professionals vaccinated and a better perception of immunisation. Differences were also found between the campaigns and socio-demographic variables (sex, age, and type of employment contract).