AUTHOR=Cunningham-Erves J. , George W. , Sanderson M. , Stewart E. , Jin S. W. , Davis J. , Brandt H. M. 

TITLE=Predictors of seasonal influenza and COVID-19 vaccination coverage among adults in Tennessee during the COVID-19 pandemic

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2024

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1321173

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2024.1321173

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=The COVID-19 pandemic has convoluted hesitancy across vaccines including the seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine. Because COVID-19 can complicate flu season, it is important to understand if and how factors influencing uptake of these vaccines compare to inform intervention targets. This article assesses factors related to influenza and COVID-19 vaccine receipt among adults in Tennessee.: A cross-sectional, secondary data analysis of 1,400 adults was conducted in Tennessee. The adult sample came from two data sources: Data source 1 completed a baseline survey from January to March 2022, and data source 2 was completed from May to August 2022. Data on vaccine attitudes, facilitators and barriers, and communication needs were collected via random digit dial by Scientific Telephone Samples (STS). Two multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) to predict sociodemographic and overall vaccine-related factors associated with receipt or nonreceipt (referent) of COVID-19 and influenza vaccines.Results: Approximately 78% of the adult sample had received the COVID-19 vaccination. A significant positive association for COVID-19 vaccine receipt was seen among those who were older (aged 50-65) (aOR=1.9; 95% CI: 1.2-3.2), Black (aOR=2.0; 95% CI:1.3-2.8),and had college and above education (aOR=2.3; 95% CI: 1.5-3.6). However, there was a significant negative association for persons reporting they were extremely religious (aOR=0.5; 95% CI:0.3-0.9). More than 56% of the adult sample had received the influenza vaccination this season. Those who had a higher annual household income ($80,000+) (aOR=1.9; 95% CI: 1.3-2.6), and had health insurance (aOR=2.6; 95% CI: 1.4-4.8) had a significant positive association for influenza vaccine receipt. However, those who were employed part-time or were unemployed had a significant negative association for influenza vaccine receipt (aOR=0.7; 95% CI: 0.5-0.9). Both COVID-19 and influenza vaccine receipt had strongly significant positive trends with increasing belief in effectiveness and trust (p<0.0001), and strongly significant negative trends with higher levels of overall vaccine hesitancy (p<0.0001).Strategies to increase COVID-19 and influenza vaccination should be age-specific, focused on increasing geographical and financial access, and offer tailored messages to address concerns for these vaccines.