Background: Vaccination effectively prevents seasonal influenza. To promote
vaccination adherence, it is necessary to understand the motivational process
that underlies vaccination behavior. This was examined along with the
moderating influence of past behavior on intention formation. Methods: German
employees (N = 594) completed questionnaires at baseline and at 7-month
followup. Regression analyses were conducted for mediation and moderated
mediation. Results: Intention at Time 1 mediated the effect of risk
perception, and positive and negative outcome expectancies on Time 2
vaccination. Past behavior moderated this effect: there was a mediation effect
for risk perception and outcome expectancies only for those individuals who
did not participate annually. Conclusions: Risk perception and outcome
expectancies influenced intentions to receive vaccination, which in turn
predicted participation. Hence, these social-cognitive variables could be
targeted in vaccination campaigns to increase intentions. However, vaccination
experience affected the formation of intentions and should be accounted for
when developing interventions