Knowledge, attitude, and practice of influenza vaccine immunization among primary healthcare providers in Dubai health authority, 2016-2017

Background: Vaccination of healthcare providers (HCPs) against seasonal influenza has been consistently recommended worldwide. Despite that, healthcare providers (HCPs) globally and in other Middle Eastern countries continue to have a low rate of influenza vaccination due to various reasons. No data are available from our country, United Arab Emirates. Objectives: To identify the percentage of vaccinated HCPs, identify the most common reason for receiving the vaccine or not and to identify the level of HCPs knowledge towards the influenza vaccine itself. Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, anonymous 18-item self-administered questionnaires were distributed among healthcare providers in the 11 primary healthcare centers of Dubai Health Authority over a period of 5 months. Results: Of the 431 participants who completed the questionnaires, 53.4% reported getting vaccinated. The difference in the vaccine uptake between the different professional categories was significant [P value