Table 2

Healthcare workers' vaccine safety concerns and self-assessed health history


n
%

Topics about which more information desired*


     Likelihood and nature of adverse events
639
28%
     Risk of a smallpox attack
328
15%
     Risks and health problems of transmitting vaccinia
339
15%
     Whether experts/respected peers getting vaccinated
232
10%
     Length of protection from previous vaccination
253
11%
     Facts about smallpox disease
233
10%
     Liability and compensation
159
7%
     None – no additional information needed
48
2%
     Other
14
1%
Top concern


     Risks outweigh benefits
566
53%
     Might transmit vaccinia to family or friends
277
26%
     Other
65
6%
     Might be expected to work with/near smallpox patient
57
5%
     Might transmit vaccinia to patients
52
5%
     Might have to miss work after vaccination
39
4%
     Might have to work extra hours
21
2%
General type of adverse event most concerned about


     More frequent mild to moderate reactions
207
18%
     Less frequent moderate to severe reactions
801
70%
     Not particularly concerned about adverse reactions
130
11%
Self-reported history of smallpox vaccination, age < 30


     Yes
30
11%
     No
215
78%
     Not sure
32
12%
Self-reported history of smallpox vaccination, age ≥ 30


     Yes
573
65%
     No
198
23%
     Not sure
106
12%
Child/children < 1 year of age at home (a precaution)


     Yes
72
6%
     No
1065
94%
With at least 1 contraindication (of list of 8)


     Yes (≥ 1)
415
37%
     Not sure (≥ 1)
84
8%
     No (none)
620
55%
Self-reported contraindications**


     Household member with history of eczema/atopic dermatitis
182%
16%
     History of eczema/atopic dermatitis
145
13%
     Pregnancy or attempting to get pregnant
88
8%
     Other acute, chronic, or exfoliative skin condition...
80
7%
     Household member with other skin condition
68
6%
     Immunosuppressed household member
45
4%
     Immunosuppression
19
2%
     Allergy to vaccine component
15
1%

* Respondents were instructed to choose up to 2 answers; percentages are of total answers chosen. ** Percentages represent (number saying "yes")/(total respondents giving any answer about the respective condition).

Yih et al. BMC Public Health 2003 3:20   doi:10.1186/1471-2458-3-20