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Abstract
Influenza disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States for people 65 years old and older as well as individuals with medical conditions that place them at an increased risk for complications with influenza. In addition to causing substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide, the economic burden of disease associated with influenza in the United States is estimated to reach well over the $80 billion. Although annual influenza vaccination is the most effective protection against influenza disease, coverage in the United States is well below the objectives established under the Health People 2020. Further, national surveys revealed the existence of racial and ethnic disparities in adult immunization rates with Hispanic adults having significantly lower influenza vaccination coverage as compared to non-Hispanic white adults. Although published studies have evaluated the barriers that keep physicians and patients from being vaccinated against influenza, no study has specifically evaluated the perceptions that Hispanic and Latino US practicing physicians assign to influenza vaccination. The first study examined how Hispanic and Latino physicians perceptions of influenza vaccines affects their recommendations to their Hispanic and Latino patients. The second study examined the impact that region of birth has on Hispanic and Latino physicians perceptions of influenza vaccines. The findings suggested that most Hispanic and Latino physicians, irrespective of birth region, were active promoters of influenza vaccination, and even those who less actively promoted it, recognized the value of influenza vaccination for their patients. Access to vaccine supply and cost as well as concern that first generation Hispanic and Latino patients may not follow physicians instructions because of cultural beliefs, and perception that patients do not initiate communication regarding influenza vaccination emerged as themes that are potentially associated with differences in influenza vaccine recommendations among Hispanic and Latino physicians to their clientele. The findings demonstrate that the development of culturally distinct patient care practices based on physicians assessment of their patients acculturation level, independent of the physicians vaccine availability, could address and increase influenza vaccination rates among Hispanic and Latino adults in the United States.