The impact of seasonal influenza vaccination uptake on COVID-19 vaccination attitudes in a rural area in Greece.

Introduction: Promoting vaccination for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), especially for high-risk groups such as the elderly and persons with comorbidities, is important for reducing the incidence of severe disease and death.

Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study of factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination, including previous influenza vaccination, among all persons who received medical services in a rural area in Crete, Greece, between October 2020-May 2021.

Results: Among 3129 participants, receipt of influenza vaccination in 2020-21 was strongly associated with COVID-19 vaccination, as was influenza vaccination in 2019-20, albeit to a lesser extent.