Influenza vaccination hesitancy in large urban centers in South America. Qualitative analysis of confidence, complacency and convenience across risk groups

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 16; no. 8; p. e0256040
• Main Authors: González-Block, Miguel Ángel, Pelcastre-Villafuerte, Blanca Estela, Riva Knauth, Daniela, Fachel-Leal, Andréa, Comes, Yamila, Crocco, Pedro, Noboa, Laura, Rodríguez Zea, Berenice, Ruoti, Mónica, Díaz Portillo, Sandra Patricia, Sarti, Elsa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 12-08-2021; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Adult; Adults; Aged; Child; Communication; Decision making; Female; Focus groups; Health behavior; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health literacy; Health risks; Humans; Immunization; Influenza; Influenza vaccines; Influenza Vaccines - administration & dosage; Influenza, Human - epidemiology; Influenza, Human - prevention & control; Influenza, Human - virology; Male; Middle Aged; Mothers - psychology; Older people; Orthomyxoviridae; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Perceptions; Pregnancy; Pregnant Women - psychology; Qualitative analysis; Risk analysis; Risk Factors; Risk groups; South America - epidemiology; Surveys; Urban areas; Urban environments; Urban Population; Urban populations; Vaccination; Vaccination - psychology; Vaccination Coverage - statistics & numerical data; Vaccines; Womens health; South America; Rio Grande do Sul Brazil; Argentina; Uruguay; Brazil; Mexico; Paraguay; Chile; Peru
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256040

Influenza vaccination coverage in countries of Latin America is low among priority risk groups, ranging from 5 to 75% among older people. This paper aims to describe and analyze the determinants of influenza vaccination hesitancy through the lens of the 3C model of confidence, complacency and convenience among middle-class, urban risk group populations in Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, countries in South America with contrasting vaccination coverage. Focus groups were conducted among four risk groups: pregnant women, mothers of children aged <6 years, adults with risk factors, and adults aged ≥60 years in samples of urban residents. Adults with risk factors expressed the most detailed perceptions about confidence in the vaccine. A wide range of perceptions regarding complacency were expressed across risk groups and countries, with pregnant women and mothers showing greater concerns while convenience had a narrower and generally more positive range of perceptions. Participants from Chile and Paraguay expressed the most contrasts regarding confidence and complacency. Information and communication strategies need to be tailored for risk groups while confidence and complacency should be addressed in synergy.