Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects
Access Control
Open Access
Degree Program
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Degree Track
Family Nurse Practioner
Year Degree Awarded
2022
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7275/28911176
Month Degree Awarded
May
Keywords
Flu vaccine, emergency department, vaccination, COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccine, beliefs and perceptions
Advisor
Pamela Aselton
DNP Project Chair
Sheila Pennell
Abstract
Background: Vaccination is a key component to public and personal preventative health. The COVID-19 pandemic has illuminated the need for further research into how best to encourage vaccination, especially in harder to reach or vulnerable populations.
Purpose: This project sought to evaluate beliefs and perceptions of the flu vaccine in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and to explore the views of the project site’s population in order to develop more targeted educational programs for increasing flu vaccination. The project focused on the ambulatory population of the emergency department.
Methods: The survey tool administered was based on the National Flu Survey to evaluate potential numbers of vaccination and rationale if participants choose to decline vaccination. It was administered to adult English-speaking patients in an urban academic medical center emergency department and then the survey was analyzed for differences in attitude between specific demographic groups. Data was collected via RedCap electronic data capture tools.
Results: A total of 69 patients participated in the survey. No correlation was found between demographic data and the likelihood of being vaccinated for flu or COVID-19. The most significant correlation was between previous flu vaccination and current vaccination for both flu and COVID-19.
Conclusion: Previous vaccination indicates a willingness to seek future vaccinations in those seeking emergency care. Future interventions should be focused on those who historically have not been vaccinated.
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