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Blacks perceive greater risk with influenza vaccine than whites
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Black adults in the United States were less likely to be vaccinated against influenza than their white counterparts and were more worried about the vaccine’s side effects, according to a recent risk perception study.
The results of a survey of more than 1,600 adults, scheduled to be published in the journal Risk Analysis, show that in addition to racial disparities, both groups are reluctant to pursue influenza vaccination, and the reasons vary.
“Most people have very limited understanding of the way vaccine recommendations are determined and how vaccines are made and distributed,” study researcher Vicki S. Freimuth, PhD, a professor of health and risk communication at the University of Georgia, said in a news release. “Perhaps increasing knowledge about the process and its many contributing organizations may decrease perception of risk from the vaccine.”
The survey, which was conducted in March 2015, included 834 white and 809 black respondents aged 18 years and older. Among other questions, they were asked to rank on a scale of 1 to 5 their perceptions of the risks presented by influenza and those associated with the vaccine.
Overall, 53.4% of white respondents said they had received the vaccine, compared with 44.4% of blacks. Among those who did not receive the vaccine, 9.7% of whites said they intended to do so, whereas 16.8% of blacks responded in kind.
The mean ranking of the risk for developing side effects from the influenza vaccine among whites who did not receive it was 2.46, compared with 2.63 among unvaccinated blacks.
Whites without the vaccine had a mean score of 1.93 compared with 2.05 for blacks when asked how severe they felt these side effects would be.
Race was not the only factor in differing responses. Women and older participants, both black and white, believed influenza was a greater risk than vaccine side effects.
Also among both races, older participants and those who were highly educated were less likely to fear side effects.
The researchers concluded that influenza vaccination efforts should extend beyond discussions of the risks posed by the virus.
“Most flu vaccine campaigns focus on the risk from the disease and minimize the issue of risks from the vaccine,” they wrote. “These results suggest that both should be addressed and perceived vaccine risks should be specifically countered in campaigns targeting African American populations.” – by Joe Green
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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