loading page

Attitudes of school teachers towards influenza and COVID-19 vaccine in Greece during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • +5
  • DESPOINA GKENTZI,
  • Eleni Benetatou,
  • Sotirios Fouzas,
  • Ageliki Karatza,
  • Aimilia Kanellopoulou,
  • Maria Lagadinou,
  • Markos Marangos,
  • Gabriel Dimitriou
DESPOINA GKENTZI
University of Patras

Corresponding Author:gkentzid@hotmail.com

Author Profile
Eleni Benetatou
University of Patras
Author Profile
Sotirios Fouzas
University of Patras
Author Profile
Ageliki Karatza
University of Patras
Author Profile
Aimilia Kanellopoulou
University of Patras
Author Profile
Maria Lagadinou
University of Patras
Author Profile
Markos Marangos
University of Patras
Author Profile
Gabriel Dimitriou
University of Patras
Author Profile

Abstract

Rational, aims and objectives: Our study aims to assess attitudes, knowledge and influenza vaccine uptake of school teachers and the intention to uptake influenza vaccine as well as the COVID-19 vaccine and to identify factors associated with vaccine acceptance during the COVID-19 pandemic in Greece. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among school teachers in the area of Western Greece from June 2020 to August 2020. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed via an internet-based link along with an invitation email. Results: Responses from 399 participants were retrieved. 139 (34.8%) had received the annual influenza vaccine in the season 2019-2020 whereas 215 (53.9%) stated that they would get it in the forthcoming season 2020-202(p < 0.001). 152 (38.1%) intent to get the COVID-19 vaccine when available. For COVID-19 vaccine factors that were independently associated with the intention to uptake included more than 15 years at work (p=0.001), prior influenza vaccine uptake (p=0.003), believing that COVID 19 vaccine should be mandatory (p=0.04) and that school teachers are a high-risk group for COVID-19 (p=0.001). Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic appeared to have an impact on the intention of school teachers to get vaccinated for influenza. The low level of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance intention amongst the teachers in our cohort warrants further attention. Public health interventions should aim to increase knowledge on both influenza and COVID-19 and prevention of them via immunization in this particular at-risk population.