The impact of seasonal influenza vaccination uptake on COVID-19 vaccination attitudes in a rural area in Greece

Introduction: Promoting vaccination for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), especially for high-risk groups such as the elderly and persons with comorbidities, is important for reducing the incidence of severe disease and death. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study of factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination, including previous influenza vaccination, among all persons who received medical services in a rural area in Crete, Greece, between October 2020-May 2021. Results: Among 3129 participants, receipt of influenza vaccination in 2020–21 was strongly associated with COVID-19 vaccination, as was influenza vaccination in 2019–20, albeit to a lesser extent. In addition, persons older than 59 years (with exception of those 90 + years old) and those who lived closer to the hospital/health center, were more likely to vaccinate for COVID-19. Persons younger than 40 years of age, females, persons with mental illness or neurologic disease, were also less likely to vaccinate for COVID-19 (all p < 0.001). Conclusions: COVID-19 vaccination was more likely among those who were vaccinated for influenza before and during the pandemic. Access to healthcare services and specific comorbidities, were important influencers for vaccination, underlying the importance of tailored interventions to enforce vaccination in high-risk groups.