Factors that influence the decision of military dependents to decline smallpox vaccination during an outbreak.

Objective: To examine factors that influence the decision of military dependents to decline smallpox vaccination in the event of an outbreak.

Methods: A total of 373 military dependents, 18 to 65 years of age, were surveyed in December 2003, at Fort Hood, Texas, and Fort Sill, Oklahoma, concerning smallpox vaccine knowledge, adverse reactions, and willingness to receive the vaccine.

Results: A total of 89% of respondents were willing to receive the vaccine. Respondents were less willing if the vaccine was unsafe during pregnancy or caused blood clots and heart attacks. African American and Hispanic respondents were less willing to be vaccinated than were Caucasian respondents (p < 0.0079), as were respondents with lower vaccine knowledge scores (p < 0.0029).

Conclusions: The majority of military dependents would want to receive the vaccine in the event of an outbreak. Vaccine safety in pregnancy and an unproven link to blood clots and heart attacks may influence vaccine refusal. African American respondents, Hispanic respondents, and respondents with lower vaccine knowledge scores were less willing to receive the vaccine.