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Ann Biol Sci, 2017
ISSN: 2348-1927
August 23-24, 2017 | Toronto, Canada
Annual Conference on
MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS, INFECTIOUS DISEASE,
ANTIMICROBIALS AND DRUG RESISTANCE
I
nfluenza infections can result in seasonal outbreaks and
epidemics in the USA. The 2014-2015 influenza outbreak
was attributed to the H3N2 influenza A strain. This outbreak
was partly attributed to the mismatch between the causative
H3N2 influenza A strain and the annual influenza vaccine. The
aim of this study was to determine if the mismatch between
the causative influenza strain and the vaccine impacted
vaccine rates or other protective health behaviors amongst
college students. In this study, an online survey was used to
determine the influenza vaccination rates and any changes in
student hygienic behaviors during the 2014-2015 influenza
season amongst college students. Survey responses were
collected from Jan 15, 2015 to Feb 15, 2015 and elicited 265
responses from undergraduate students. The total vaccine
rate among respondents was 23%, but compared to the
previous year (2013-2014) the overall vaccination rate among
respondents decreased by 10%. Regardless of vaccination,
53% of total respondents reported a slight change or more
in the protective health behavior of hand-washing. The
influenza vaccination rate amongst college students is within
the range of the national CDC vaccination rate of 31% for this
age group. The decrease in vaccination rates from 2013-2014
to 2014-2015 was consistent with the mismatch between
the influenza strain and vaccine targets. Beyond vaccination,
protection against influenza also involves enhanced personal
and hand-hygiene behaviors. Such behaviors are very
important in a college campus due to close living conditions
and other social and casual behaviors.
e
:
jandu001@gannon.eduH3N2 influenza vaccine rates and other protective behaviors amongst college students
Narveen Jandu
Gannon University, USA
Arch Clin Microbiol, 8:5
DOI: 10.4172/1989-8436-C1-003