Objective: To assess the coverage rate and obstructive factors of influenza vaccine inoculation among residents aged above 18 years in Beijing from 2007 to 2010.
Methods: A total of 13 287 residents were recruited from six districts in Beijing. Information included demographic data, whether or not got vaccinated from 2007 to 2010, and the reasons for non-vaccination were collected using the questionnaires.
Results: A total of 13 002 copies of questionnaires were valid and retrieved. The coverage rates of influenza vaccine inoculation among Beijing residents aged above 18 years between year 2007 and 2010 were 14.2% (1850/13 001), 18.0% (2345/13 002), 23.4% (3036/13 002) and 18.6% (2416/13 002), respectively. The 4-year adherent inoculation rate was 9.1% (1186/13 001). The coverage rates in the subjects aged over 60 years, less educated, medical-practitioner or retired were relative higher, with the 4-year adherent inoculation rate at 24.4% (614/2521), 24.4% (94/386), 14.6% (47/323) and 19.0% (386/2036). The factors induced non-vaccination among residents included "I don't think I am very likely to catch the flu" (51.2%, 6002/11 722), "I have no spare time to get vaccinated" (18.3%, 2145/11 722), "The influenza vaccination is too expensive" (15.8%, 1852/11 722), "I am afraid of the side-effects" (15.2%, 1782/11 722), "I don't believe the vaccine is effective enough" (12.9%, 1512/11 722), "I don't think influenza is a serious disease" (10.1%, 1184/11 722), "I have the specific contraindications" (7.3%, 856/11 722), and "I have never heard influenza vaccination before" (5.2%, 610/11 722). With regard to the reasons for non-vaccination, significant differences were found among subjects with different educated levels, different ages and different occupations. The proportion of thoughts "I don't think I am very likely to catch the flu" among the residents in five educational levels (illiterates or semi-illiterates, primary school, junior middle school, senior middle school and college or above) were 28.6% (83/289), 39.8% (473/1188), 49.1% (1642/3341), 50.7% (1719/3392) and 51.3% (1794/3501) respectively, with a significant statistical difference (χ(2) = 98.33, P < 0.01).
Conclusion: The coverage rates of influenza vaccine inoculation were low among residents aged above 18 years from 2007 to 2010 in Beijing. The main reasons for non-vaccination included lack of information about risk in influenza infection and its severity to health, and anxiety about vaccine safety and effectiveness.