Summary A nationwide survey was conducted in OctobereNovember 2009 to investigate
determinants of intention to get vaccinated against novel (pandemic) influenza A H1N1 among
health-care workers (HCWs) in Greece. Out of 12,879 participating HCWs (response rate:
12.1%) working in 152 (40%) of 380 health-care facilities in Greece, 2814 (21.8%) reported that
they intend to get vaccinated against novel influenza A N1H1. Intention rates to get vaccinated
increased with age, male sex, being a physician, history of vaccination against seasonal influenza,
training in use of personal protective equipment and hand hygiene, and training and
involvement in the management of novel influenza cases. Main reasons for refusing vaccination
were concerns about vaccine safety (43.1%), inadequate information about the vaccine
(27.8%), and perception that they were not at risk for contracting novel influenza (10.7%).
Given the low rates of acceptance of pandemic vaccination among HCWs, as found in this
study, public health bodies should consider the implementation of a mandatory vaccination
policy for HCWs for future pandemics, in order to prevent nosocomial transmission and to protect
patients at high-risk for influenza-related complications and death, and to assure the continuity
of the essential health-care infrastructure. New strategies should be explored to built
safety perception towards influenza vaccines and enhance vaccination rates among HCWs.
ª 2010 The British Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.