Background: Influenza is an important public health issue, even amongst healthy adults. Uptake rates of the influenza vaccine amongst elite athletes vary and can depend on the attitudes of their coaches, fellow athletes and support staff. International studies have documented a fear amongst elite athletes to the potential side effects of the vaccine.
Aims: Determine the influenza vaccine uptake rates in elite Irish athletes and their support staff along with attitudes, fears and barriers to receiving it.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was performed in the Sport Ireland Institute. Elite athletes and support staff from the 2019 database were invited to participate via an anonymous online survey. The database included a variety of sports, e.g. athletics, boxing, cycling, rowing, swimming and para-athletics.
Results: From 218 athletes and staff invited, 39% (n = 87 [43 male, 44 female]) responded to the online survey. Fifty-nine percent (n = 51) of participants received the influenza vaccine during the 2018/2019 season. Forty-six percent (n = 40) completely agree that the influenza vaccine is safe. Fourteen percent (n = 12) of participants believe the vaccine causes influenza. "Getting sick" from the vaccine was the biggest fear for participants. Athletes were least likely to recommend the influenza vaccine to others and most likely to fear missing time from training or work as a result of it.
Conclusions: Elite Irish athletes are vulnerable to contracting influenza annually, despite free access to immunisation. Barriers to receiving the vaccine include location access, education and fear of side effects.
Keywords: Athlete; Attitude; Immunisation; Influenza; Vaccination.
© 2020. Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland.