[Population-based cross sectional study about vaccine acceptability and perception of the severity of A/H1N1 influenza: opinion of the general population and health professionals].

Objectives: To determine the intention of general population and health professionals to vaccinate against the H1N1 influenza A virus. To determine the perception of severity of the H1N1 influenza A in both groups compared to that of seasonal influenza.

Methods: Cross-sectional telephone survey performed to a sample of population (obtained randomly from the Vitoria-Gasteiz telephone directory) and cross-sectional electronically-administered survey to a sample of health professionals from public health centres in Vitoria-Gasteiz, conducted between 6th and 16th November 2009. The relative and absolute frecuency of persons willing to be vaccinated and the proportion of those considering the H1N1 influenza A as a life-threatening risk were calculated in both groups.

Results: 219 (33%) persons out of 637 contacted telephone numbers answered the questionnaire, as well as 109 health professionals. 63.0% (n=138) of general population and 73.4% (n=80) of the professional group would not undergo vaccination, even if it was for free (p=0.595). If belonging to a high-risk group, the corresponding proportions of unwillingness were 14.6% (n=32) for general population and 40.4 (n=44) for professionals (p<0.001). The proportion of undecided persons is 25.6% (n=56) in general population, against 6.4% (n=7) among the professionals.

Conclusions: At the beginning of the vaccination campaign, the majority of population is unwilling to undergo immunization against the H1N1 influenza A virus. The proportion in general population is similar to that among the health professionals. However, when belonging to a high-risk group, there is a high proportion of undecided persons in general population.