Abstract

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that since 2010 influenza has caused between 9.2 million and 60.8 million illnesses. Numbers from the 2015-2016 influenza season indicate that influenza vaccination prevented approximately 5.1 million influenza illnesses. Though most healthy individuals recover from the flu within 2 weeks, there is great concern for those who do not as this can lead to serious complications. Vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, children, pregnant women and individuals with chronic disease that contract influenza, are at risk for more severe illnesses such as sinus infections or bacterial pneumonia. Influenza can lead to worsening of preexisting chronic diseases including asthma and diabetes. It can also lead to death in these high-risk populations. Complications associated with influenza greatly affect the health of our nation and place a tremendous burden on the healthcare community (Rolfes et al., 2016). . This quantitative research study was conducted to determine the barriers to the administration of the influenza vaccine. The purpose of this study was to determine what percentage of the clinical patients in north Mississippi did not receive the influenza vaccine and, of those patients, what the barriers were to vaccine uptake. A convenience sample was utilized to obtain approximately 600 questionnaires. Participants were asked whether or not they had received the influenza vaccine for this current flu season; if not, they identified personal barriers to not being vaccinated. The patient chose from possible barriers, i.e., expense, time, location, fear of getting the flu, drug allergy, fear of the vaccine, and lack of awareness of the potential dangers of influenza. Once these barriers were defined, the patients were asked to participate in the study in an effort to improve the quantity of influenza vaccine administration in our community.

Degree

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Department

Graduate Nursing

Degree Date

8-1-2018

Publication Number

27919773

First Advisor

Dr. Brandi Lambert

Second Advisor

Dr. Terri Hamill

Third Advisor

Dr. Shonda Phelon

Document Type

Thesis

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