Influenza vaccine hesitancy in a low-income community in central New York State

OBJECTIVE: Influenza vaccine (IV) coverage rates remain suboptimal among US adults. Socioeconomic disparities exist in IV coverage. We describe influenza vaccine attitudes among a low-income community in central New York. METHODS: Adults attending a Salvation Army function during December 2012 were surveyed regarding IV including their intention to be immunized. On-site IV was offered to eligible participants. RESULTS: The 1041 participants included Whites (non-Hispanics), African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and multi-racial ethnicities. At time of enrollment, 386 (37%) participants had already received 2012-13 IV. Of the 655 unimmunized participants, 299 (46%) stated intent to receive IV, evenly distributed by age, gender, and ethnicity. Of the 312 participants who declined IV, 46% did so because of IV misperceptions. Of the 299 participants who intended to receive vaccine but had not yet done so, 284 (95%) stated the reason for delay was difficult access to vaccine. Intent to receive vaccine was strongly associated with the belief that IV is safe and/or effective (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: IV misperceptions regarding IV efficacy and safety result in suboptimal vaccine uptake in this low-income community, regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity.