Large epidemiological influenza a outbreak in a teaching hospital from guatemala city

Factors associated with influenza vaccination among healthcare workers in acute care hospitals in Canada

BACKGROUND

Influenza vaccine coverage rates among healthcare workers (HCWs) in acute care facilities in Canada remain below national targets.

OBJECTIVE

To determine factors associated with influenza vaccine uptake among HCWs.

METHODS

This secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study included HCWs aged 18-69 years, working ≥20 h/wk in a Canadian acute care hospital. Questionnaires were administered to participants in the fall of the season of participation (2011/12-2013/14) which captured demographic/household characteristics, medical histories, occupational, behavioural and risk factors for influenza. Generalized estimating equation logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with vaccine uptake in the season of participation.

RESULTS

The adjusted odds ratio for influenza vaccination in the current season was highest for those vaccinated in 3 of 3 previous seasons (OR 156; 95% CI 98, 248) followed by those vaccinated in 2 of 3 and 1 of 3 previous seasons when compared with those not vaccinated. Compared with nurses, physicians (OR 4.2; 95% CI 1.4, 13.2) and support services staff (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.3, 2.4) had higher odds ratios for vaccine uptake. Conversely, HCWs identifying as Black had lower odds of uptake compared with those with European ancestry (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.26-0.75) when adjusted for other factors in the model.

CONCLUSION

Healthcare workers differ in their annual uptake of influenza vaccine based on their past vaccination history, occupation and ethnicity. These findings indicate a need to determine whether there are other vaccine-hesitant groups within healthcare settings and learn which approaches are successful in increasing their uptake of influenza vaccines.

Promotion of influenza vaccination among health care workers: findings from a tertiary care children's hospital in Italy

BACKGROUND

The aims of this study were: a) to evaluate attitudes and practices of health care workers (HCWs) towards influenza vaccination and their opinion regarding a vaccination promotion toolkit; b) to estimate hospital HCWs' influenza vaccination coverage rates (VC).

METHODS

The Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital (OPBG) is an academic hospital in Italy. Since 2009, free influenza vaccination is offered to HCWs during working hours. In October-December 2013, a communication campaign based on a standardized toolkit was conducted. In December 2013, we performed a cross-sectional survey in a sample of hospital wards, based on a self-administered questionnaire including participants' characteristics; self-reported influenza vaccination history; reasons for vaccination or missed vaccination; opinion regarding the toolkit. Multivariable logistic analysis was used to assess independent predictors of influenza vaccination status. Annual VC for years 2009-2013 was estimated by using the number of seasonal influenza vaccine doses administered to HCWs as numerator, and the number of hospital HCWs as denominator.

RESULTS

Out of 191 HCWs who participated in the survey, 35.6% reported at least one influenza vaccination during their life; 6.8% adhered to annual revaccination. Years of service and professional category were significantly and independently associated with vaccination (adjusted-OR: 2.4 for > 10 years of service, compared to < 5 years of service; adjusted-OR: 2.6 for physicians compared to nurses). Patient protection was the main reported reason for vaccination (34.3%); considering influenza a mild disease was the main reason for non-vaccination (36.9%); poor vaccine effectiveness was the main reason for missed annual revaccination (28.8%). Overall, 75% of respondents saw at least one promotion tool; 65.6% of them found the information useful. Hospital VC decreased from 30% in 2009, to 5% in 2012. In 2013, VC was 14%.

CONCLUSIONS

Satisfactory influenza VC in HCWs is hard to achieve. In 2013, along with the toolkit implementation, we observed an increase in HCWs' vaccination coverage, nevertheless, it remained unsatisfactory. Tailored information strategies targeting nurses and recently employed HCWs should be implemented. Institution of declination statements, adding influenza vaccination to financial incentive systems, or vaccination requirements should also be considered to increase influenza VC among HCWs.