Evaluation of Barriers Against Receiving the Influenza Vaccine
Amongst Caribbean American Population
James J. Lee, Angela A. Han, Grant M. Ho, Sharanpreet Kaur, Rebecca A. Uttermann,
Dr. Joy Lewis D.O, Kate Whelihan MPH, Dr. Norma Villanueva M.D, Dr. Laura Grady D.O
1A.T
. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona, 2NYU Lutheran Family Health Centers
Background
Results
Discussion
• NYU Lutheran Family Health Centers network
provides high quality, affordable primary health care
and support services and is one of the largest
Federally Qualified Health Centers networks in the
nation.
• We medical students came across statistical
differences amongst the clinics that put into question
“Why patients at the Caribbean American Clinic kept
refusing the flu vaccine” in comparison to the other
network clinics.
• A total of 92 patients volunteered for the study, with
33 participants from the Caribbean American Clinic
and 59 participants from the other four clinics
(Brooklyn Chinese, Park Slope, Sunset Terrace
Pediatrics and Women’s Health). A total of 130
patients were approached. The four latter clinics were
categorized as “Others” in our study.
• Patients often have misconceptions about the
influenza vaccine. Through our study, we were able
to come to a conclusion that the most pertinent
barrier leading to a refusal of the flu vaccine, was
due to a lack of medical knowledge.
• If the benefits of the vaccine were discussed with the
patients by either the providers, medical assistants,
medical students, nurses, or even by brochures, we
strongly believe that the hesitancy of accepting the
vaccine would decrease.
1Other
Clinics
Caribbean
American
Clinic
“I don’t like needles”
5
3
“I don’t have time”
0
5
“It makes me sick”
16
6
“I don’t get sick”
5
5
Objectives
“I don’t believe in it”
1
2
• Evaluate the barriers against receiving the influenza
vaccination amongst the Caribbean-American
population
• To investigate the Social Determinants of Health that
interfere with the health care compliance of patients
amongst NYU Lutheran Family Health Centers
“I was never offered”
0
2
“I don’t think it’s important”
2
3
“I got it last year”
2
1
“Got it!”
7
34
Methodology
Conclusions
• A retrospective study was conducted across various
clinics in Lutheran Family Health Centers
consortium to determine differences in vaccination
rates.
• Volunteers, upon oral consent, were asked to answer
an anonymous questionnaire that tested basic
knowledge of the flu and were asked for reasons to
decline the vaccine
• The results of the study demonstrated that patients at the
Caribbean American Clinic were much less inclined to get
the influenza vaccine, supporting our hypothesis that
patients do in fact have significant barriers affecting their
decisions to get vaccinated.
• The most influential barrier leading to rejecting the vaccine
pointed towards the lack of medical education and
misconceptions about the existing vaccination.
Vaccination Rates of Caribbean American vs.
Other LFHC Clinics
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Carribean
Others
Acknowledgements
• We would like to thank the staff at NYU Lutheran Family
Health centers for their help and patience, attention, and
helpfulness and the patients, who graciously participated in
the survey.
References
Johnson D.R., Nichol K.L., Lipcyznski K., et al. Barriers to adult
immunization. American Journal of Medicine. 2008; 121:pp S28-S35
Uniform Data System Reports. Prenatal Patient Influenza Vaccine Refusal
Rate at Lutheran Family Health Center. Published March 31, 2014. Accessed
April 20th, 2014.