What lies behind the low rates of vaccinations among nurses who treat infants?

BACKGROUND In most countries rates of immunizations of health care workers with recommended vaccines are not satisfactory. OBJECTIVES To identify reasons behind the low rates of compliance of Israeli nurses in Mother and Child Healthcare Centers (MCHC) with an official request for pertussis vaccination. METHODS Three focus groups were conducted. Qualitative analysis identified themes that could explain the nurses' non-compliance. RESULTS Trust in health authorities was low, mainly following the A/H1N1 purported influenza pandemic. In addition, nurses did not see the importance of being role models for the public and demanded the autonomy to decide whether to receive vaccinations. The nurses differentiated between their role as nurses and their personal life, expressed fear of new vaccines and exhibited low levels of risk perception. Misconceptions regarding vaccinations were expressed by the nurses. CONCLUSIONS Antivaccinationist ideas were expressed by MCHC nurses and these attitudes may have led to non-compliance with vaccination guidelines.