2012 March
Background: Background: In most countries rates of
immunizations of health care workers with recommended vaccines
are not satisfactory. Objectives: To identify reasons behind
the low rates of compliance of Israeli nurses in Mother and Child
Healthcare Centers (MCHC) with an official request for pertussis vaccination.
Methods: Three focus groups were conducted. Qualitative analysis
identified themes that could explain the nurses’ non-compliance.
Results: Trust in health authorities was low, mainly following the
A/H1N1 purported influenza pandemic. In addition, nurses did not see the
importance of being role models for the public and demanded the autonomy to
decide whether to receive vaccinations. The nurses differentiated between their
role asnurses and their personal life, expressed fear of new vaccines and
exhibited low levels of risk perception. Misconceptions regarding vaccinations
were expressed by the nurses. Conclusions: Antivaccinationist
ideas were expressed by MCHC nurses and these attitudes may have led to
non-compliance with vaccination guidelines.
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