Table 2 Community pharmacists responses to influenza vaccine knowledge items
Incorrect | Correct | I don’t know | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
# | n (%) | n (%) | n (%) | |
Domain 1: General knowledge about vaccines | ||||
K1 | Vaccines are critical to the prevention and control of infectious diseases outbreaks | 3 (0.7%) | 409 (99.3%) | 0 (0%) |
K2 | The ingredients of the vaccine include: the antigen, adjuvants, preservatives, and stabilizers | 6 (1.5%) | 375 (91%) | 31 (7.5%) |
K3 | Vaccines are safe and serious problems from the vaccine are very rare | 20 (4.9%) | 383 (93%) | 9 (2.2%) |
K4 | Every vaccine must go through extensive and rigorous testing before it can be introduced | 6 (1.5%) | 402 (97.6%) | 4 (1%) |
K5 | Following the introduction of a vaccine, close monitoring continues to detect any unexpected adverse side effects and assess the effectiveness | 22 (5.3%) | 377 (91.5%) | 13 (3.2%) |
Domain 2: Specific Knowledge about influenza vaccine | ||||
K6 | An annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to help protect against flu | 38 (9.2%) | 358 (86.9%) | 16 (3.9%) |
K7 | Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination and provide vaccinations | 8 (1.9%) | 404 (98.1%) | 0 (0%) |
K8 | Quadrivalent flu vaccines protect against four different flu viruses: an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus, and two influenza B viruses | 107 (26%) | 202 (49%) | 103 (25%) |
K9 | A trivalent flu shot made using an adjuvant (an ingredient that helps create a stronger immune response), approved for people 65 years of age and older | 46 (11.2%) | 292 (70.9%) | 74 (18%) |
K10 | Influenza vaccination doesn’t increase the risk of being infected with the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus or any other respiratory virus | 56 (13.6%) | 300 (72.8%) | 56 (13.6%) |
K11 | Flu vaccine should be taken before flu viruses begin spreading in the community | 7 (1.7%) | 384 (93.2%) | 21 (5.1%) |
K12 | Vaccination could continue to be offered throughout the flu season, even into January or later | 25 (6.1%) | 342 (83%) | 45 (10.9%) |
K13 | People who get a seasonal flu vaccine and still get sick with flu symptoms | 112 (27.2%) | 187 (45.4%) | 113 (27.4%) |
Domain 3: Side effects of the vaccines | ||||
K14 | Common side effects from a flu shot include soreness, redness, and/or swelling where the shot was given, headache (low grade), fever, nausea, muscle aches, and fatigue | 48 (11.7%) | 291 (70.6%) | 73 (17.7%) |
K15 | The risk of an allergic reaction can be decreased by effective screening prior to vaccination | 43 (10.4%) | 316 (76.7%) | 53 (12.9%) |
K16 | Providers should report any clinically significant adverse event occurring after administration of the vaccine even if they are unsure whether the vaccine caused the event | 3 (0.7%) | 400 (97.1%) | 9 (2.2%) |
K17 | Flu vaccine side effects are generally mild and go away on their own within a few days | 3 (0.7%) | 403 (97.8%) | 6 (1.5%) |
K18 | The flu shot, like other injections, can occasionally cause fainting | 85 (20.6%) | 283 (68.7%) | 44 (10.7%) |
K19 | Life-threatening allergic reactions to flu shots are very rare | 10 (2.4%) | 386 (93.7%) | 16 (3.9%) |
K20 | Signs of serious allergic reaction can include breathing problems, hoarseness or wheezing, hives, paleness, weakness, a fast heartbeat, or dizziness | 23 (5.6%) | 318 (77.2%) | 71 (17.2%) |
Domain 4: Precautions and contraindications | ||||
K21 | Anaphylactic reaction to a previous dose of vaccine or a vaccine component is a contraindication to further doses of the same vaccine or to the same component in other vaccines | 7 (1.7%) | 387 (93.9%) | 18 (4.4%) |
K22 | Multiple sclerosis is a not a contraindication to influenza vaccine | 55 (13.3%) | 240 (58.3%) | 117 (28.4%) |
Domain 5: People at risk of influenza vaccination | ||||
K23 | Children aged 6 months through 4 years (59 months) should take influenza vaccines | 30 (7.3%) | 382 (92.7%) | 0 (0%) |
K24 | Pregnant women and people with certain chronic health conditions can get a flu shot | 37 (9%) | 375 (91%) | 0 (0%) |
K25 | Children younger than 6 months of age are too young to get a flu should not get flu shot | 30 (7.3%) | 382 (92.7%) | 0 (0%) |
K26 | Annual influenza immunization is recommended for all health care professionals in contact with individuals in high-risk groups | 29 (7.1%) | 383 (92.9%) | 0 (0%) |