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Ledda C, Motta G, Rapisarda V, Maltezou HC. Influenza immunization of healthcare personnel in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era: Still a lot to do! Vaccine X 2023; 15:100402. [PMID: 38058792 PMCID: PMC10696103 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvacx.2023.100402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Healthcare-associated influenza is frequently encountered in healthcare settings with significant morbidity and mortality among vulnerable patients, absenteeism among healthcare personnel (HCP), and interruption of healthcare services. Numerous investigations indicate that nosocomial outbreaks are often traced to HCP. Despite the international and national endorsements, seasonal influenza vaccine acceptance among HCP continues suboptimal worldwide. Infection control is the major objective for healthcare risk management in order to guarantee patient safety, limit the cost of hospitalization and assurance health management in controlling influenza seasons. Vigilance and anticipation are required as globally we are moving from a reactive COVID-19 pandemic response phase to one of planning for the co-circulation of viral respiratory infections. Declining to understand HCP perception of influenza risk and acceptance of vaccination might have impact patient safety as well as healthcare services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Ledda
- Occupational Medicine Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Motta
- Occupational Medicine Unit, “Garibaldi” Hospital of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Venerando Rapisarda
- Occupational Medicine Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Occupational Medicine Unit, “G. Rodolico – San Marco” University Hospital, Catania, Italy
| | - Helena C. Maltezou
- Directorate for Research, Studies and Documentation, National Public Health Organization, Athens, Greece
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Ledda C, Rapisarda V, Maltezou HC. COVID-19 vaccination refusal and suspension of work among healthy healthcare personnel in Italy: A cross-sectional study of their knowledge and attitudes toward vaccinations. Vaccine X 2023; 13:100275. [PMID: 36819213 PMCID: PMC9918318 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvacx.2023.100275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the initial optimistic projections from various countries and the evidence that vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) reduces the associated hospitalization rates and mortality, vaccine hesitancy and refusal among healthcare personnel (HCP) became a major public health concern globally. The aim of this survey was to estimate the knowledge about the Italian Vaccination Plan for HCP and attitudes about occupational vaccinations for HCP among Italian HCP who refused COVID-19 vaccination and were suspended from work. A total of 52 HCP participated in the study. Nurses were the prevalent profession among vaccination refusers. About COVID-19, 24 (26.2%) of all responders have been involved in COVID-19 care and 21 (40.4%) had a history of COVID-19. None had received influenza and pneumococcus vaccination in the past. Knowledge of vaccinations recommended for HCP was high, ranging from 75% to 98% by vaccine. Instead, all HCP were against any mandatory vaccination policy for all HCP. Finally, most HCP questioned the expected benefits and safety of vaccines in general, raised issues of mistrust of information provided for authorities and of compliance with their HCP' vaccination recommendations. Our study indicates good knowledge of occupational vaccinations but strong anti-vaccination beliefs among Italian HCP who refused COVID-19 vaccination and were suspended from work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Ledda
- Occupational Medicine Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Corresponding author.
| | - Venerando Rapisarda
- Occupational Medicine Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Occupational Medicine Unit, “G. Rodolico-San Marco” University Hospital, Catania, Italy
| | - Helena C. Maltezou
- Directorate for Research, Studies and Documentation, National Public Health Organization, Athens, Greece
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Bedston S, Lowthian E, Jarvis CI, Akbari A, Beggs J, Bradley D, de Lusignan S, Griffiths R, Herbert L, Hobbs R, Kerr S, Lyons J, Midgley W, Owen RK, Quint JK, Tsang R, Torabi F, Sheikh A, Lyons RA. COVID-19 booster vaccination uptake and infection breakthrough amongst health care workers in Wales: A national prospective cohort study. Vaccine 2023; 41:1378-1389. [PMID: 36669966 PMCID: PMC9837216 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND From September 2021, Health Care Workers (HCWs) in Wales began receiving a COVID-19 booster vaccination. This is the first dose beyond the primary vaccination schedule. Given the emergence of new variants, vaccine waning vaccine, and increasing vaccination hesitancy, there is a need to understand booster vaccine uptake and subsequent breakthrough in this high-risk population. METHODS We conducted a prospective, national-scale, observational cohort study of HCWs in Wales using anonymised, linked data from the SAIL Databank. We analysed uptake of COVID-19 booster vaccinations from September 2021 to February 2022, with comparisons against uptake of the initial primary vaccination schedule. We also analysed booster breakthrough, in the form of PCR-confirmed SARS-Cov-2 infection, comparing to the second primary dose. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate associations for vaccination uptake and breakthrough regarding staff roles, socio-demographics, household composition, and other factors. RESULTS We derived a cohort of 73,030 HCWs living in Wales (78% female, 60% 18-49 years old). Uptake was quickest amongst HCWs aged 60 + years old (aHR 2.54, 95%CI 2.45-2.63), compared with those aged 18-29. Asian HCWs had quicker uptake (aHR 1.18, 95%CI 1.14-1.22), whilst Black HCWs had slower uptake (aHR 0.67, 95%CI 0.61-0.74), compared to white HCWs. HCWs residing in the least deprived areas were slightly quicker to have received a booster dose (aHR 1.12, 95%CI 1.09-1.16), compared with those in the most deprived areas. Strongest associations with breakthrough infections were found for those living with children (aHR 1.52, 95%CI 1.41-1.63), compared to two-adult only households. HCWs aged 60 + years old were less likely to get breakthrough infections, compared to those aged 18-29 (aHR 0.42, 95%CI 0.38-0.47). CONCLUSION Vaccination uptake was consistently lower among black HCWs, as well as those from deprived areas. Whilst breakthrough infections were highest in households with children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart Bedston
- Population Data Science, Swansea University Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health & Life Science, Swansea University, UK.
| | - Emily Lowthian
- Department of Education and Childhood Studies, School of Social Sciences, Swansea University, UK.
| | | | - Ashley Akbari
- Population Data Science, Swansea University Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health & Life Science, Swansea University, UK.
| | | | - Declan Bradley
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK. And Public Health Agency, Belfast, UK.
| | - Simon de Lusignan
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Rowena Griffiths
- Population Data Science, Swansea University Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health & Life Science, Swansea University, UK.
| | - Laura Herbert
- Population Data Science, Swansea University Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health & Life Science, Swansea University, UK.
| | - Richard Hobbs
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Steven Kerr
- Usher Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Jane Lyons
- Population Data Science, Swansea University Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health & Life Science, Swansea University, UK.
| | - William Midgley
- Population Data Science, Swansea University Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health & Life Science, Swansea University, UK.
| | - Rhiannon K Owen
- Population Data Science, Swansea University Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health & Life Science, Swansea University, UK.
| | - Jennifer K Quint
- National Heart & Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, UK.
| | - Ruby Tsang
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Fatemeh Torabi
- Population Data Science, Swansea University Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health & Life Science, Swansea University, UK.
| | - Aziz Sheikh
- Usher Institute and HDR UK BREATHE Hub, University of Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Ronan A Lyons
- Population Data Science, Swansea University Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health & Life Science, Swansea University, UK.
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Li C, Su Z, Chen Z, Cao J, Xu F. Trust of healthcare workers in vaccines may enhance the public's willingness to vaccinate. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2022; 18:2158669. [PMID: 36534602 PMCID: PMC9891667 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2158669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Canye Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zuanjun Su
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhicong Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinming Cao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Shanghai, China,Sixth People’s Hospital South Campus, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China,CONTACT Feng Xu School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Shanghai, China
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