Publicação
Influenza and COVID-19 vaccination intention in Portuguese adults from at-risk groups
| Resumo: | Background: Seasonal influenza and COVID-19 vaccines are critical for protecting at-risk populations, yet uptake remains suboptimal in some priority groups. This study aimed to identify psychosocial and structural factors associated with vaccination intention and hesitancy among Portuguese adults from high-risk groups, including older adults, individuals with chronic conditions, healthcare professionals, and pregnant women. Methods: A mixed-methods design was employed. A cross-sectional telephone survey applied to a probabilistic sample (n = 474) assessed sociodemographic, psychological, and logistical predictors of intention to vaccinate against influenza and COVID-19 among older adults and individuals with chronic illnesses. Semi-structured interviews conducted with vaccine-hesitant healthcare professionals (n = 13) and pregnant women (n = 10) explored perceptions and experiences towards vaccination. Results: Survey findings showed moderately high intentions to vaccinate, with higher scores for influenza than COVID-19. Older age, worry, belief in vaccine safety and efficacy, and healthcare provider recommendations were positively associated with vaccination intention. Conversely, concerns about side effects, preference for natural immunity, and work-related barriers were negatively associated with vaccination intention. Interview data revealed ambivalence toward seasonal vaccines, particularly COVID-19, due to perceived rapid development and limited long-term data. Healthcare professionals often distinguished between seasonal and the national vaccination programme vaccines, mentioning low personal risk and side effects as reasons for hesitancy related to seasonal vaccines. Pregnant women emphasized concerns about fetal safety and the importance of clear healthcare providers recommendations. Conclusions: Psychosocial factors, including beliefs about disease severity and vaccine safety, play a central role in vaccination intention. Work-related structural barriers further contribute to hesitancy. These findings underscore the need for targeted communication strategies, healthcare providers engagement and employer-based vaccination programs to address both structural and motivational aspects of vaccination adherence within priority groups. |
|---|---|
| Autores principais: | Godinho, Cristina A. |
| Outros Autores: | Francisco, Rita; Gaspar, Rui; Henriques, Joana; Costa, Andreia; António, João; Costa, Diana; Fernandes, Teresa; Arriaga, Miguel |
| Assunto: | Chronic illness COVID-19 Healthcare professionals Influenza Mixed-methods Older adults Portugal Pregnant women Vaccine hesitancy Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being |
| Ano: | 2026 |
| País: | Portugal |
| Tipo de documento: | artigo |
| Tipo de acesso: | acesso aberto |
| Instituição associada: | Universidade Nova de Lisboa |
| Idioma: | inglês |
| Origem: | Repositório Institucional da UNL |
| _version_ | 1868984256931299328 |
|---|---|
| author | Godinho, Cristina A. |
| author2 | Francisco, Rita Gaspar, Rui Henriques, Joana Costa, Andreia António, João Costa, Diana Fernandes, Teresa Arriaga, Miguel |
| author2_role | author author author author author author author author |
| author_facet | Godinho, Cristina A. Francisco, Rita Gaspar, Rui Henriques, Joana Costa, Andreia António, João Costa, Diana Fernandes, Teresa Arriaga, Miguel |
| author_role | author |
| contributor_name_str_mv | Centro de Investigação em Saúde Pública (CISP/PHRC) Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC) - Pólo ENSP Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública (ENSP) BioMed Central (BMC) RUN |
| country_str | PT |
| creators_json_txt | [{\"Person.name\":\"Godinho, Cristina A.\"},{\"Person.name\":\"Francisco, Rita\"},{\"Person.name\":\"Gaspar, Rui\"},{\"Person.name\":\"Henriques, Joana\"},{\"Person.name\":\"Costa, Andreia\"},{\"Person.name\":\"António, João\"},{\"Person.name\":\"Costa, Diana\"},{\"Person.name\":\"Fernandes, Teresa\"},{\"Person.name\":\"Arriaga, Miguel\"}] |
| datacite.contributors.contributor.contributorName.fl_str_mv | Centro de Investigação em Saúde Pública (CISP/PHRC) Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC) - Pólo ENSP Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública (ENSP) BioMed Central (BMC) RUN |
| datacite.creators.creator.creatorName.fl_str_mv | Godinho, Cristina A. Francisco, Rita Gaspar, Rui Henriques, Joana Costa, Andreia António, João Costa, Diana Fernandes, Teresa Arriaga, Miguel |
| datacite.date.Accepted.fl_str_mv | 2026-12-01T00:00:00Z |
| datacite.date.available.fl_str_mv | 2026-04-15T15:13:02Z |
| datacite.date.embargoed.fl_str_mv | 2026-04-15T15:13:02Z |
| datacite.rights.fl_str_mv | http://purl.org/coar/access_right/c_abf2 |
| datacite.subjects.subject.fl_str_mv | Chronic illness COVID-19 Healthcare professionals Influenza Mixed-methods Older adults Portugal Pregnant women Vaccine hesitancy Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being |
| datacite.titles.title.fl_str_mv | Influenza and COVID-19 vaccination intention in Portuguese adults from at-risk groups a mixed-method study |
| dc.contributor.none.fl_str_mv | Centro de Investigação em Saúde Pública (CISP/PHRC) Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC) - Pólo ENSP Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública (ENSP) BioMed Central (BMC) RUN |
| dc.creator.none.fl_str_mv | Godinho, Cristina A. Francisco, Rita Gaspar, Rui Henriques, Joana Costa, Andreia António, João Costa, Diana Fernandes, Teresa Arriaga, Miguel |
| dc.date.Accepted.fl_str_mv | 2026-12-01T00:00:00Z |
| dc.date.available.fl_str_mv | 2026-04-15T15:13:02Z |
| dc.date.embargoed.fl_str_mv | 2026-04-15T15:13:02Z |
| dc.format.none.fl_str_mv | application/pdf |
| dc.identifier.none.fl_str_mv | http://hdl.handle.net/10362/202260 |
| dc.language.none.fl_str_mv | eng |
| dc.rights.none.fl_str_mv | http://purl.org/coar/access_right/c_abf2 |
| dc.subject.none.fl_str_mv | Chronic illness COVID-19 Healthcare professionals Influenza Mixed-methods Older adults Portugal Pregnant women Vaccine hesitancy Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being |
| dc.title.fl_str_mv | Influenza and COVID-19 vaccination intention in Portuguese adults from at-risk groups a mixed-method study |
| dc.type.none.fl_str_mv | http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_6501 |
| description | Background: Seasonal influenza and COVID-19 vaccines are critical for protecting at-risk populations, yet uptake remains suboptimal in some priority groups. This study aimed to identify psychosocial and structural factors associated with vaccination intention and hesitancy among Portuguese adults from high-risk groups, including older adults, individuals with chronic conditions, healthcare professionals, and pregnant women. Methods: A mixed-methods design was employed. A cross-sectional telephone survey applied to a probabilistic sample (n = 474) assessed sociodemographic, psychological, and logistical predictors of intention to vaccinate against influenza and COVID-19 among older adults and individuals with chronic illnesses. Semi-structured interviews conducted with vaccine-hesitant healthcare professionals (n = 13) and pregnant women (n = 10) explored perceptions and experiences towards vaccination. Results: Survey findings showed moderately high intentions to vaccinate, with higher scores for influenza than COVID-19. Older age, worry, belief in vaccine safety and efficacy, and healthcare provider recommendations were positively associated with vaccination intention. Conversely, concerns about side effects, preference for natural immunity, and work-related barriers were negatively associated with vaccination intention. Interview data revealed ambivalence toward seasonal vaccines, particularly COVID-19, due to perceived rapid development and limited long-term data. Healthcare professionals often distinguished between seasonal and the national vaccination programme vaccines, mentioning low personal risk and side effects as reasons for hesitancy related to seasonal vaccines. Pregnant women emphasized concerns about fetal safety and the importance of clear healthcare providers recommendations. Conclusions: Psychosocial factors, including beliefs about disease severity and vaccine safety, play a central role in vaccination intention. Work-related structural barriers further contribute to hesitancy. These findings underscore the need for targeted communication strategies, healthcare providers engagement and employer-based vaccination programs to address both structural and motivational aspects of vaccination adherence within priority groups. |
| dirty | 0 |
| eu_rights_str_mv | openAccess |
| format | article |
| fulltext.url.fl_str_mv | https://run.unl.pt/bitstreams/53a94df3-bfc4-4383-986f-b980a7e78186/download |
| id | run_2db17bee2c4f8d30a42441f616c8f071 |
| identifier.url.fl_str_mv | http://hdl.handle.net/10362/202260 |
| inst_facet_str | urn:organizationAcronym:unl{{{_:::_}}}Universidade Nova de Lisboa |
| instacron_str | unl |
| institution | Universidade Nova de Lisboa |
| instname_str | Universidade Nova de Lisboa |
| language | eng |
| network_acronym_str | run |
| network_name_str | Repositório Institucional da UNL |
| oai_identifier_str | oai:run.unl.pt:10362/202260 |
| organization_str_mv | urn:organizationAcronym:unl |
| person_str_mv | Godinho, Cristina A. Francisco, Rita Gaspar, Rui Henriques, Joana Costa, Andreia António, João Costa, Diana Fernandes, Teresa Arriaga, Miguel |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| repo_facet_str | urn:repositoryAcronym:run{{{_:::_}}}Repositório Institucional da UNL |
| reponame_str | Repositório Institucional da UNL |
| repository_id_str | urn:repositoryAcronym:run |
| service_str_mv | urn:repositoryAcronym:run |
| spelling | engenBackground: Seasonal influenza and COVID-19 vaccines are critical for protecting at-risk populations, yet uptake remains suboptimal in some priority groups. This study aimed to identify psychosocial and structural factors associated with vaccination intention and hesitancy among Portuguese adults from high-risk groups, including older adults, individuals with chronic conditions, healthcare professionals, and pregnant women. Methods: A mixed-methods design was employed. A cross-sectional telephone survey applied to a probabilistic sample (n = 474) assessed sociodemographic, psychological, and logistical predictors of intention to vaccinate against influenza and COVID-19 among older adults and individuals with chronic illnesses. Semi-structured interviews conducted with vaccine-hesitant healthcare professionals (n = 13) and pregnant women (n = 10) explored perceptions and experiences towards vaccination. Results: Survey findings showed moderately high intentions to vaccinate, with higher scores for influenza than COVID-19. Older age, worry, belief in vaccine safety and efficacy, and healthcare provider recommendations were positively associated with vaccination intention. Conversely, concerns about side effects, preference for natural immunity, and work-related barriers were negatively associated with vaccination intention. Interview data revealed ambivalence toward seasonal vaccines, particularly COVID-19, due to perceived rapid development and limited long-term data. Healthcare professionals often distinguished between seasonal and the national vaccination programme vaccines, mentioning low personal risk and side effects as reasons for hesitancy related to seasonal vaccines. Pregnant women emphasized concerns about fetal safety and the importance of clear healthcare providers recommendations. Conclusions: Psychosocial factors, including beliefs about disease severity and vaccine safety, play a central role in vaccination intention. Work-related structural barriers further contribute to hesitancy. These findings underscore the need for targeted communication strategies, healthcare providers engagement and employer-based vaccination programs to address both structural and motivational aspects of vaccination adherence within priority groups.application/pdfenInfluenza and COVID-19 vaccination intention in Portuguese adults from at-risk groupsSubtitleena mixed-method studyGodinho, Cristina A.Francisco, RitaGaspar, RuiHenriques, JoanaCosta, AndreiaAntónio, JoãoCosta, DianaFernandes, TeresaArriaga, MiguelCentro de Investigação em Saúde Pública (CISP/PHRC)Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC) - Pólo ENSPEscola Nacional de Saúde Pública (ENSP)BioMed Central (BMC)HostingInstitutionOrganizationalRUNe-mailmailto:run@unl.ptrun@unl.ptISSNIsPartOf1471-2458URNIsPartOfPURE: 160531217URNIsPartOfPURE UUID: 9f996733-a31e-4e2d-99cb-582f00421817URNIsPartOfScopus: 105028963177URNIsPartOfPubMed: 41455959URNIsPartOfPubMedCentral: PMC12859839URNIsPartOfWOS: 001676665500001DOIIsPartOf10.1186/s12889-025-25591-y2026-04-15T15:13:02Z2026-122026-12-01T00:00:00ZHandlehttp://hdl.handle.net/10362/202260http://purl.org/coar/access_right/c_abf2open accessChronic illnessCOVID-19Healthcare professionalsInfluenzaMixed-methodsOlder adultsPortugalPregnant womenVaccine hesitancyPublic Health, Environmental and Occupational HealthSDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being1763727 bytesliteraturehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_6501journal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/access_right/c_abf2application/pdffulltexthttps://run.unl.pt/bitstreams/53a94df3-bfc4-4383-986f-b980a7e78186/download |
| spellingShingle | Influenza and COVID-19 vaccination intention in Portuguese adults from at-risk groups Godinho, Cristina A. Chronic illness COVID-19 Healthcare professionals Influenza Mixed-methods Older adults Portugal Pregnant women Vaccine hesitancy Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being |
| status | SINGLETON |
| subject.fl_str_mv | Chronic illness COVID-19 Healthcare professionals Influenza Mixed-methods Older adults Portugal Pregnant women Vaccine hesitancy Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being |
| title | Influenza and COVID-19 vaccination intention in Portuguese adults from at-risk groups |
| title_full | Influenza and COVID-19 vaccination intention in Portuguese adults from at-risk groups |
| title_fullStr | Influenza and COVID-19 vaccination intention in Portuguese adults from at-risk groups |
| title_full_unstemmed | Influenza and COVID-19 vaccination intention in Portuguese adults from at-risk groups |
| title_short | Influenza and COVID-19 vaccination intention in Portuguese adults from at-risk groups |
| title_sort | Influenza and COVID-19 vaccination intention in Portuguese adults from at-risk groups |
| topic | Chronic illness COVID-19 Healthcare professionals Influenza Mixed-methods Older adults Portugal Pregnant women Vaccine hesitancy Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being |
| topic_facet | Chronic illness COVID-19 Healthcare professionals Influenza Mixed-methods Older adults Portugal Pregnant women Vaccine hesitancy Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/10362/202260 |
| visible | 1 |