PCIRN

Principle Investigator:	Dr.Alex Borda-Rodriguez
Supervisor:	Dr. Janice Graham

During the H1N1 pandemic in 2009, there was quite a bit of confusion about the safety and effectiveness of the new vaccine, who needed to get the shots (and which ones), among scientists, public health officials, and the public itself. This study is interested in nurses' knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccination programme last year.

In Nova Scotia only 30-40% of nurses receive the annual flu shot, yet there was a significant uptake increase during the 2009 H1N1 crisis. Because there have been only a few studies that examine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of nurses regarding vaccination and the use of a new vaccine during a pandemic crisis. We believe that our study may improve how people are informed about influenza vaccines. The study may be useful for future efforts to get vaccines to the public in a sensitive, informed and timely way.

Some of the main research objectives and questions this project will seek to answer include:

• What nurses thought about the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines and the programmes that were put in place?

• How nurses dealt with the uncertainty that existed in the public health messaging when they met and communicated with their patients?

• Did they follow the vaccination advice they were giving to patients themselves?

• What were the sources of your information about the H1N1 and seasonal flu?

• What types of evidence did they use to arrive at decisions in their clinical practice, for themselves and for their families?

• What nurses know about current voluntary and non-monitored programs of vaccination, declination forms and mandatory vaccination possibilities? What are their experiences with them?

• To what extent nurses believe local and provincial policies on vaccinations of healthcare workers reflect their own concerns and views? If they do not, whose views do they represent?