Veteran influenza vaccination acceptance rates after completion of the COVID-19 vaccination series among historical influenza vaccine refusers

Background: Vaccine hesitancy remains an obstacle in disease prevention. The recent COVID-19 pandemic highlighted this issue and may influence acceptance of other recommended immunizations. The objective of this study was to determine the association between receiving the COVID-19 vaccination and the subsequent acceptance of the influenza vaccination in a Veteran population that historically declined influenza vaccination. Methods: Influenza vaccination acceptance rates for the 2021-2022 influenza season were compared in patients who historically declined the influenza vaccine and either received or declined COVID-19 vaccinations. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze factors associated with receiving influenza vaccination among vaccine hesitant individuals. Results: A higher proportion of patients who had received the COVID-19 vaccination(s) subsequently accepted the influenza vaccination compared to the control group (37 % vs. 11 %, OR = 5.03; CI 3.15- 8.26; p = 0.0001). Conclusion: Among previous influenza vaccine decliners, those who received COVID-19 vaccination had significantly higher odds of receiving subsequent influenza vaccination.