Study shows strong consensus among physicians on flu vaccine benefits
The Peninsula
Doha, Qatar: Most primary care physicians in Qatar agree that being vaccinated reduces the risk of seasonal influenza spread, according to a recent st...
Doha, Qatar: Most primary care physicians in Qatar agree that being vaccinated reduces the risk of seasonal influenza spread, according to a recent study and it found that the vaccination rate was higher among those over 45 years of age.
Healthcare workers are considered an important group to be vaccinated against influenza and Qatar offers them a complimentary vaccine every year.
In a cross-sectional study, “Motivators and barriers of seasonal influenza vaccination among primary health care physicians in Qatar”, a majority of 95% of primary care physicians strongly agree that being vaccinated reduces the risk of spreading of disease. The vaccination rate was higher among physicians aged 45 years and above, with a 100 % rate among those aged 65 years and above.
“Such an association was statistically significant. There is a statistically significant association between the vaccination rate, gender, and working experience,” according to the study.
Around one-third of participants in the study think vaccination should be mandatory for healthcare workers. Also, the free availability of vaccines is indicated as an important factor in getting people to be vaccinated.