Acceptability and willingness to pay for influenza vaccination among healthcare professionals in Vietnam

Abstract

While Vietnam's Expanded Program on Immunization does not cover influenza vaccines, people must pay out-of-pocket for influenza vaccination. Healthcare professionals have a high risk of contracting influenza, but their vaccination rate is low. The aim of this study was to investigate the influenza vaccination program in healthcare professionals in Vietnam. The objectives of this study were to examine influenza vaccine uptake, willingness to pay (WTP) for this vaccine, factors associated with influenza vaccine uptake, and WTP among healthcare professionals and recommend financing sources for the influenza vaccination program. This study was survey research. The population was healthcare professionals in Hanoi, Vietnam. The sample was selected using proportionate stratified random sampling. The instrument used was a structured questionnaire. Data was collected and analyzed using the chi-square test of independence, multiple logistic regression model, and multiple linear regression model. It was found that 29.1 \% of healthcare professionals vaccinated against flu in 2020 and 92.8 % of them were WTP for this vaccine. Major research findings indicated that the maximum WTP for influenza vaccination services was 389,500 VND (USD 16.75). Most of the participants reported that individuals should pay a part of the cost, and four-fifths reported they believed that the government and medical insurance should subsidize the service (85.3% and 88.3%). The study suggested that lacking time was a significant association with decreased influenza vaccine uptake. The Chi-square test revealed that there was a significant association between knowing influenza vaccine price, perceived severity of influenza illness, having vaccinated against flu and a high proportion of WTP. Based on the findings, it was concluded that the perceived severity of influenza illness was strongly predicted to increase in WTP for this vaccine among HCPs (AOR = 2.77, 95% CI = 1.03 - 7.45). In conclusion, the results suggested that the influenza vaccine uptake among healthcare professionals was low but the WTP for influenza vaccination is relatively high. It is concluded that price is not a primary barrier, and there is room to expand the immunization program. Four-fifths of participants expected the government and medical insurance subsidies, so financing support from these sources could improve the vaccine uptake. IMPLICATION OF THESIS To increase the influenza vaccine uptake among healthcare professionals, a new policy is needed to implement that include subsidization for a part or full price of influenza vaccine. A reasonable working time and setting a flu-vaccination campaign at workplace might help healthcare professionals arrange the time to get influenza vaccine. Moreover, other health interventions such as influenza-related education and communication are also needed to expand vaccine coverage.