Identifying Associations Between Influenza Vaccination Status and Access, Beliefs, and Sociodemographic Factors Among the Uninsured Population in Suffolk County, NY

Seasonal influenza continues to impose a substantial healthcare and economic burden in the United States each year. This study assessed influenza vaccination rates among the uninsured population, determined the need for free flu vaccines, and analyzed associations of vaccination status with access, beliefs, and sociodemographic factors. Stony Brook Outreach and Medical Education (SB HOME) free clinic offers free flu vaccinations to uninsured patients over the age of 18 living in Suffolk County, New York. All patients visiting SB HOME between October 2018 and February 2019 were offered a 10-min anonymous survey assessing demographic characteristics, self-evaluation of health status, vaccination status during the 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 flu seasons, willingness to obtain a free flu vaccine, and beliefs and barriers surrounding flu vaccines. Analysis consisted of descriptive statistics, paired t tests, and χ2 tests using a significance threshold of p