Prevalence and identification of the determinants of influenza vaccination among French midwifery students.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Midwifery students in France are requested to be vaccinated against influienza every year before the winter epidemic. The rationale is to protect pregnant women and newborns, the "frail" populations with whom students are in regular contact. The aims of the present study were to assess the prevalence of influenza vaccination among midwifery students and to identify the obstacles to its implementation. METHOD: This is a descriptive study carried out by questionnaire among all midwifery students enrolled in one of the 35 midwifery schools in France for the year 2018-2019. RESULTS: The 1092 questionnaires received showed that 47.9% of the students had been vaccinated during the previous winter, mainly in order to protect their patients. For those who had not been vaccinated, the main obstacles were a lack of time (64.7%), the vaccine was considered to be ineffective (57.3%) and forgetting to be vaccinated (43.4%). Most students reported that a midwifery school-based vaccination session would be effective in improving coverage. The decision to take up vaccination was influenced by the opinion of the student's entourage and information received in class. CONCLUSION: Although the objectives of vaccine protection have not yet been achieved, influenza vaccination is not compulsory and midwifery students are free to choose. Students should be provided with all the information necessary to make their decision, including education on the subject, and have easy access to vaccination.