H1N1v influenza vaccine in Greek medical students

Background: We sought to investigate the penetration of the H1N1v vaccine in Greek medical students, as well as their approach to the vaccination. Methods: A survey was conducted among the students of the University of Athens, School of Medicine, 1 month after the initiation of the vaccination programme. Participants were asked to fill in a questionnaire regarding their status of vaccination and their approach to the H1N1v vaccine. Results: We handed a questionnaire to 1000 students (out of 1700 officially enrolled in the medical school) and retrieved 922 answers. Only 74 (8%) medical students had been vaccinated and 78 (9%) planned to (probably or definitely) do so in the future, while 641 (67%) would (probably or definitely) not get vaccinated. The highest coverage was among the sixth year students (37/234, 16%). The most common reasons for not having received the vaccine were perception of the disease as mild (387/848, 46%), and concern regarding long-term adverse events (370/848, 44%). Thirty percent (258/848) of the students doubted the vaccine's effectiveness, and 197 (23%) worried about possible short-term adverse events. One hundred and thirty-three respondents (16%) believed the whole story is a conspiracy while 102 (12%) reported to have had the flu. Almost half (43%) of the participants considered their knowledge on the subject inadequate. Conclusion: Our findings confirmed the low penetration of the H1N1 vaccine in Greece, as in most European countries, even in medical students. Better education of the students and the public might aid in increasing the immunization rates.