Effects of News Media and Interpersonal Interactions on H1N1 Risk Perception and Vaccination Intent

The threat of a potential H1N1 pandemic was first reported in April 2009. Unlike the regular seasonal influenza that affects primarily preschool children, pregnant women, and the elderly, young, healthy adults were identified as 1 of the high-risk groups for contracting the H1N1 virus. This study was among the first to explore the impact of influenza communication on college students’ pandemic risk perception and vaccination intent. Study results suggest that news media dependency and risk perception have a positive influence on college students’ vaccination intent.