To understand the factors that contribute to people taking up the influenza vaccine, the Health Promotion Agency’s (HPA’s) biennial Health and Lifestyles Survey (HLS) asks New Zealanders aged 15 years and over about their attitudes and behaviour in relation to the vaccine.
Methodology
To assess attitudes and behaviours relating to the influenza vaccine, all respondents in the 2014 HLS were asked whether they were eligible to get the vaccine for free and whether they intended to receive the vaccine in 2014. Respondents who said they were not planning on getting the vaccine in 2014 were also asked to give reasons for their decision. Interviews were conducted between autumn and winter (May to August) 2014.
Uptake of the influenza vaccine was defined as having already received the vaccine at the time of the survey (self-reported). Univariate regression analyses were conducted first to assess whether vaccine uptake varied by age, gender, ethnicity, neighbourhood deprivation, and perceived eligibility for the free vaccine (see the ‘About the Health and Lifestyles Survey’ section for the relevant comparison groups). A multivariate regression analysis was then conducted to assess which variables were still associated with vaccine uptake after adjusting for all others.
Adjusted odds ratios are reported where there were statistically significant differences (p < .05).
Key Results
• In 2014, 35% of New Zealanders aged 15 years and over reported receiving the influenza vaccine. This contrasts with self-reported vaccine uptake of 27% in the 2012 HLS.
• Similar to the 2012 HLS, close to one-half of respondents (46%) reported being eligible to get the influenza vaccine for free in 2014.
• Uptake of the influenza vaccine in 2014 was lowest among adults aged under 65 years, males, people living in mid or high deprivation neighbourhoods, and people who were ineligible for the free vaccine.
• The most common reason for not intending to get the influenza vaccine in 2014 was related to past uptake: that is, not being in the habit of getting the vaccine or never having had it before.