Prevention of Nosocomial Influenza

AbstractObjective:To study compliance with preventive strategies at a university hospital during an outbreak of nosocomial influenza A during the winter of 1988, and the rates of vaccination of healthcare workers and of nosocomial influenza following changes in vaccine practices after the outbreak.Design:Retrospective review of employee health, hospital epidemiology, hospital computing, and clinical microbiology records.Setting:A university hospital.Interventions:Unvaccinated personnel with exposure within the previous 72 hours to an unisolated case of influenza were offered influenza vaccine and 14 days of amantadine hydrochloride prophylaxis. Personnel with exposure more than 72 hours before evaluation were offered vaccine. A mobile cart was introduced for vaccinating personnel after the 1988 outbreak.Results:An outbreak of influenza with 10 nosocomial cases occurred in 1988. Only 4% of exposed employees had been vaccinated previously and 23% of exposed, unvaccinated employees agreed to take vaccine, amantadine, or both. A mobile-cart vaccination program was instituted, and annual vaccination rates steadily increased from 26.3% in 1989 to 1990 to 38% in 1993 to 1994 (P<.0001). The relative frequency of documented cases of influenza in employees with symptoms of influenza decreased significantly during this period (P=.025), but nosocomial influenza rates among patients did not change significantly.Conclusion:A mobile-cart influenza vaccination program was associated with a significant increase in compliance among healthcare workers, but a majority still remained unvaccinated. The rate of nosocomial influenza among patients was not reduced by the modest increase in the vaccination rate, but influenza rates remained acceptably low, perhaps due to respiratory isolation of patients and furlough of employees with influenza.

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Use Of A Mobile Cart Influenza Program For Vaccination Of Hospital Employees

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1086/502320 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 25 (11) ◽

pp. 918-922 ◽

Cited By ~ 99

Author(s):

Catherine Sartor ◽

Herve Tissot-Dupont ◽

Christine Zandotti ◽

Francoise Martin ◽

Pierre Roques ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Vaccination Rate ◽

Associate Professor ◽

University Hospital ◽

Vaccination Program ◽

Vaccination Rates ◽

Vaccination Acceptance ◽

The Impact ◽

Haenszel Test

AbstractObjective:Rates of annual influenza vaccination of healthcare workers (HCWs) remained low in our university hospital. This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of a mobile cart influenza vaccination program on HCW vaccination.Methods:From 2000 to 2002, the employee health service continued its annual influenza vaccination program and the mobile cart program was implemented throughout the institution. This program offered influenza vaccination to all employees directly on the units. Each employee completed a questionnaire. Vaccination rates were analyzed using the Mantel–Haenszel test.Results:The program proposed vaccination to 50% to 56% of the employees. Among the nonvaccinated employees, 52% to 53% agreed to be vaccinated. The compliance with vaccination varied from 61% to 77% among physicians and medical students and from 38% to 55% among nurses and other employees. Vaccination of the chief or associate professor of the unit was associated with a higher vaccination rate of the medical staff (P < .01). Altogether, the vaccination program led to an increase in influenza vaccination among employees from 6% in 1998 and 7% in 1999 before the mobile cart program to 32% in 2000, 35% in 2001, and 32% in 2002 (P < .001).Conclusions:The mobile cart program was associated with a significantly increased vaccination acceptance. Our study was able to identify HCW groups for which the mobile cart was effective and highlight the role of the unit head in its success.

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COVID-19 Vaccination of HCWs in the First Phase of a Large-Scale Mass Vaccination Program within a Healthcare System

Antimicrobial Stewardship & Healthcare Epidemiology ◽

10.1017/ash.2021.20 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (S1) ◽

pp. s11-s11

Author(s):

Kimberly Korwek ◽

E. Jackie Blanchard ◽

Julia Moody ◽

Katherine Lange ◽

Ryan Sledge ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Human Resources ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Large Scale ◽

Rapid Development ◽

Vaccination Strategy ◽

State Level ◽

Mass Vaccination ◽

Vaccine Uptake ◽

Vaccination Program ◽

Vaccination Rates

Background: The approval of the first SARS-COV-2 vaccines for COVID-19 were accompanied by unprecedented efforts to provide vaccination to healthcare workers and first responders. More information about vaccine uptake in this group is needed to better refine and target educational messaging. Methods: HCA Healthcare used federal guidance and internal experience to create a systemwide mass vaccination strategy. A closed point-of-dispensing (POD) model was developed and implemented. The previously developed enterprise-wide emergency operations strategy was adapted and implemented, which allowed for rapid development of communications and operational processes. A tiering strategy based on recommendations from the National Academies was used in conjunction with human resources data to determine vaccine eligibility for the first phase of vaccination. A comprehensive data and reporting strategy was built to connect human resources and vaccine consent data for tracking vaccination rates across the system. Results: Vaccination of employed and affiliated colleagues began December 15, 2020, and was made available based on state-level release of tiers. Within the first 6 weeks, in total, 203,544 individuals were eligible for vaccine based on these criteria. Of these, 181,282 (89.1%) consented to and received vaccine, 19,788 (9.7%) declined, and 2,474 (1.2%) indicated that they had already been vaccinated. Of those eligible, the highest acceptance of vaccine was among the job codes of specialists and professionals (n = 7,914 total, 100% consent), providers (n = 23,335, 99.6%,), and physicians (n = 3,218, 98.4%). Vaccine was most likely to be declined among job codes of clerical and other administrative (n = 12,889 total, 80.1% consent), clinical specialists and professionals (n = 22,853, 81.0%,) and aides, orderlies and technicians (n = 17,803, 82.6%,). Registered nurses made up the largest eligible population (n = 56,793), and 89.5% of those eligible consented to receive vaccination. Average age among those who consented was slightly older (48.3 years) than those that declined (44.7 years), as was length of employment tenure (6.9 vs 5.0 years). Conclusion: A large-scale, closed POD, mass vaccination program was able to vaccinate nearly 200,000 healthcare workers for SARS-CoV-2 in 6 weeks. This program was implemented in acute-care sites across 20 different US states, and it was able to meet the various state-level requirements for management of processes, product, and required reporting. The development of a standardized strategy and custom, centralized monitoring and reporting facilitated insight into the characteristics of early vaccine adopters versus those who decline vaccination. These data can aid in the refining and targeting of educational materials and messaging about the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.Funding: NoDisclosures: None

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The impact of the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic on attitudes of healthcare workers toward seasonal influenza vaccination 2010/11

Eurosurveillance ◽

10.2807/ese.16.17.19854-en ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 16 (17) ◽

Author(s):

C Brandt ◽

H F Rabenau ◽

S Bornmann ◽

R Gottschalk ◽

S Wicker

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Influenza Vaccine ◽

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Influenza A ◽

Influenza Season ◽

University Hospital ◽

The Public ◽

Influenza A H1n1 ◽

The Impact

The emergence of the influenza A(H1N1)2009 virus provided a major challenge to health services around the world. However, vaccination rates for the public and for healthcare workers (HCWs) have remained low. We performed a study to review the reasons put forward by HCWs to refuse immunisation with the pandemic vaccine in 2009/10 and characterise attitudes in the influenza season 2010/11 due to the emergence of influenza A(H1N1)2009. A survey among HCWs and medical students in the clinical phase of their studies was conducted, using an anonymous questionnaire, at a German university hospital during an influenza vaccination campaign. 1,366 of 3,900 HCWs (35.0%) were vaccinated in the 2010/11 influenza season. Of the vaccinated HCWs, 1,323 (96.9%) completed the questionnaire in addition to 322 vaccinated medical students. Of the 1,645 vaccinees who completed the questionnaire, 712 had not been vaccinated against the influenza A(H1N1)2009 virus in the 2009/10 season. The main reason put forward was the objection to the AS03 adjuvants (239/712, 33.6%). Of the HCWs and students surveyed, 270 of 1,645 (16.4%) stated that the pandemic had influenced their attitude towards vaccination in general. Many German HCWs remained unconvinced of the safety of the pandemic (adjuvanted) influenza vaccine. For this reason, effective risk communication should focus on educating the public and HCWs about influenza vaccine safety and the benefits of vaccination.

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Promotion of the influenza vaccination to hospital staff during pre-employment health check: a prospective, randomised, controlled trial

Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology ◽

10.1186/s12995-020-00285-w ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Michael Currat ◽

Catherine Lazor-Blanchet ◽

Giorgio Zanetti

Keyword(s):

Influenza Vaccine ◽

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Vaccination Campaign ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Vaccination Rate ◽

Health Check ◽

Control Group ◽

Vaccination Rates ◽

Newly Hired

Abstract Background Vaccination is the most effective prevention of seasonal influenza. Despite its recommendation and active promotion, vaccination coverage remains low among healthcare staff. The goal of the study was to test if a pre-employment health check is a good opportunity to promote future vaccination against influenza among healthcare workers newly hired by a university hospital. Methods All new hospital employees active at the bedside who underwent a pre-employment health check between the end of 2016’s influenza epidemic and the start of the next influenza vaccination campaign were randomly allocated to a control group or an intervention group. The intervention consisted of a semi-structured dialog and the release of an information leaflet about influenza and influenza vaccination during the check-up, and the shipment of a postcard reminder 2 weeks before the next vaccination campaign. Vaccination rates during the campaign were compared among the two groups. Results Three hundred fifty-seven employees were included. Vaccination rates were similar in both groups: 79/172 (46%) in the control and 92/185 (50%) in the intervention group. A significantly higher rate of vaccination was noted among physicians (70/117, 60%) than among other employees (101/240, 42%, p = 0.001). In a pre-defined exploratory analysis among physicians, the vaccination rate was higher in the intervention group (36/51, 71%) than in the control group (34/65, 52%, p = 0.046). Conclusions Promotion of the influenza vaccine during pre-employment health check did not improve the vaccination rate of newly hired hospital healthcare workers overall during the next influenza vaccination campaign. Results suggest a favourable impact on the vaccination rate of physicians. Thus, there may be an interest in using communication strategies tailored to the different categories of healthcare workers to promote the influenza vaccine during pre-employment health check. Trial registration ClinicalTrials, NCT02758145. Registered 26 April 2016.

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The Impact of Healthcare Worker Influenza Vaccination on Nosocomial Influenza in a Tertiary Hospital: An Ecological Study

10.21203/rs.2.13528/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Wycliffe Enli Wei ◽

Stephanie Fook-Chong ◽

Wen Kai Chen ◽

Maciej Piotr Chlebicki ◽

Wee Hoe Gan

Keyword(s):

Protective Effect ◽

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Healthcare Worker ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Ecological Study ◽

Tertiary Hospital ◽

Vaccination Rate ◽

Incidence Rates ◽

Vaccination Rates ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background: To protect hospitalized patients who are more susceptible to complications of influenza, seasonal influenza vaccination of healthcare workers (HCW) has been recommended internationally. However, its effectiveness is still being debated. To assess the effectiveness of HCW influenza vaccination, we performed an ecological study to evaluate the association between healthcare worker influenza vaccination and the incidence of nosocomial influenza in a tertiary hospital within Singapore between 2013-2018. Methods: Nosocomial influenza was defined by influenza among inpatients diagnosed 7 days or more post-admission by laboratory testing, while healthcare worker influenza vaccination rate was defined as the proportion of healthcare workers that was vaccinated at the end of each annual seasonal vaccination exercise. A modified Poisson regression was performed to assess the association between the HCW vaccination rates and monthly nosocomial influenza incidence rates. Results: Nosocomial influenza incidence rates followed the trend of non-nosocomial influenza, showing a predominant mid-year peak. Across 2,480,010 patient-days, there were 256 nosocomial influenza cases (1.03 per 10,000 patient-days). Controlling for background influenza activity and the number of influenza tests performed, no statistically significant association was observed between vaccination coverage and nosocomial influenza incidence rate although a protective effect was suggested (IRR 0.89, 95%CI:0.69-1.15, p =0.37). Conclusion: No significant association was observed between influenza vaccination rates and nosocomial influenza incidence rates, although a protective effect was suggested. Aligning local HCW vaccine timing and formulation to that of the Southern Hemisphere may improve effectiveness. HCW vaccination remains important but demonstrating its effectiveness in preventing nosocomial influenza is challenging.

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Classical Swine Fever in Papua, Indonesia: Demography of Pig Farming and Vaccination Rate

Veterinary Biomedical and Clinical Journal ◽

10.21776/ub.vetbioclinj.2019.001.02.6 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 42-50

Author(s):

Widi Nugroho ◽

Keyword(s):

Demographic Data ◽

Vaccine Delivery ◽

Classical Swine Fever ◽

Vaccination Rate ◽

Vaccination Program ◽

Farm Size ◽

Vaccination Rates ◽

Village Level ◽

Pig Farming ◽

Average Size

Classical Swine Fever (CSF) is an important disease in the pig industry. In the end of 2003, CSF caused a mortality outbreak involved thousands of pigs in Timika, Papua. Control of CSF in Timika has been through vaccination program using strain C vaccine. However, demographic data of pig farming in Timika was unavailable, made the assessment of the vaccination rate impossible. The research aimed to comprehend the demography of pig farming dan the rate of vaccination impossible. The research aimed to comprehend the demography of pig farming and the rate of vaccination against CSF in five districts in Timika. The study was conducted in 25 of 40 villages in five districts. Data of the demography was collected from all families in sample villages. Data of vaccine delivery during 2018 was collected in village level. Data of demography and vaccination rate was analysed descriptively, correlations between vaccination rate and the pig population, the number of farms the size of farmsat village level were analysed at 0.05, using Excel 2010 (Microsoft Excel, USA). Results showed that pig population was 16.846 heads, farmers were 2.560 families, human population was 133.186 persons, farm size was 6.6 heads per farm, ratio of pigs to humans was 0.13 pigs per-person. Only four villages obtained vaccination rates of above 70% of their respective pig populations. In seven other villages vaccination covered less than 30% of pig populations, while other 14 villages did not obtain CSF vaccine delivery. No correlation appeared between thevaccination rate in a village with the size of its pig population, the number off arms in it or the average size of farm in it (P>0.05). This study could become a reference point for designing CSF vaccination program in Timika in the future.

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The Impact of Healthcare Worker Influenza Vaccination on Nosocomial Influenza in a Tertiary Hospital: An Ecological Study

10.21203/rs.2.13528/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Wycliffe Enli Wei ◽

Stephanie Fook-Chong ◽

Wen Kai Chen ◽

Maciej Piotr Chlebicki ◽

Wee Hoe Gan

Keyword(s):

Protective Effect ◽

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Healthcare Worker ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Ecological Study ◽

Tertiary Hospital ◽

Vaccination Rate ◽

Incidence Rates ◽

Vaccination Rates ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background: To protect hospitalized patients who are more susceptible to complications of influenza, seasonal influenza vaccination of healthcare workers (HCW) has been recommended internationally. However, its effectiveness is still being debated. To assess the effectiveness of HCW influenza vaccination, we performed an ecological study to evaluate the association between healthcare worker influenza vaccination and the incidence of nosocomial influenza in a tertiary hospital within Singapore between 2013-2018. Methods: Nosocomial influenza was defined by influenza among inpatients diagnosed 7 days or more post-admission by laboratory testing, while healthcare worker influenza vaccination rate was defined as the proportion of healthcare workers that was vaccinated at the end of each annual seasonal vaccination exercise. A modified Poisson regression was performed to assess the association between the HCW vaccination rates and monthly nosocomial influenza incidence rates.Results: Nosocomial influenza incidence rates followed the trend of non-nosocomial influenza, showing a predominant mid-year peak. Across 2,480,010 patient-days, there were 256 nosocomial influenza cases (1.03 per 10,000 patient-days). Controlling for background influenza activity and the number of influenza tests performed, no statistically significant association was observed between vaccination coverage and nosocomial influenza incidence rate although a protective effect was suggested (IRR 0.89, 95%CI:0.69-1.15, p=0.37). Conclusion: No significant association was observed between influenza vaccination rates and nosocomial influenza incidence rates, although a protective effect was suggested. Aligning local HCW vaccine timing and formulation to that of the Southern Hemisphere may improve effectiveness. HCW vaccination remains important but demonstrating its effectiveness in preventing nosocomial influenza is challenging.

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Healthcare Workers' Perceptions of Mandatory Vaccination: Results of an Anonymous Survey in a German University Hospital

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1086/656242 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 31 (10) ◽

pp. 1066-1069 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Sabine Wicker ◽

Georg Marckmann ◽

Gregory A. Poland ◽

Holger F. Rabenau

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

University Hospital ◽

Vaccination Rates ◽

Mandatory Vaccination

Despite decades of effort to encourage healthcare workers (HCWs) to be immunized, vaccination rates remain insufficient. Among German HCWs, 831 (68.4%) of 1,215 respondents supported mandatory vaccinations for HCWs in general. However, acceptance of mandatory vaccination varied significantly between physicians and nurses and also depended on the targeted disease.

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Influenza vaccination: a multi-modal approach to increase compliance in an italian teaching hospital

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckz186.528 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽

Author(s):

D Celotto ◽

F Malacarne ◽

C Battistella ◽

F G Bucci ◽

F Antinolfi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Medical Doctor ◽

University Hospital ◽

Intervention Programme ◽

Vaccination Rates ◽

Immunization Rates ◽

Health Authorities ◽

Educational Meetings

Abstract Issue Influenza vaccination of Healthcare workers (HCW) has a key role in avoiding flu transmission among patients and HCWs and is annually recommended by health authorities. Despite the 75% target identified by WHO, coverage is still inadequate in many European countries. Description of the problem The Infection Control Team and Public Health Residents of a University Hospital annually cooperate to actively offer flu shots directly in the Units, but in 2017-18 campaign only 12,1% of HCWs took advantage of the service. From July to December 2018 a composite intervention was performed to increase immunization rates. In each Unit a medical doctor and a nurse (midwife for the Obstetrics unit) were identified as Link Professionals (LPs).Two educational meetings with Infectious Diseases and Public Health experts were organized for LPs to deal with their hesitancies and to engage them for the vaccination promotion among colleagues.The calendar (2/week ambulatory + 16 in-ward appointments), tailored to maximise the HCW accessibility, was sent to medical consultants and head of departments, to all physicians, and to head nurses for dissemination. Promotional posters and videos were displayed across the hospital. Results Educational meetings were attended by 130 LPs. A total of 772/3420 HCW took advantage of the 2018-19 active campaign (22,6%), with a significant increase from the previous year (+10,4%; 95%CI 8,7-12,2; p < 0,001). The immunization rates raised in all HCWs categories: 279/660 doctors (it was 167/660 in 2017-18; +17.0%; 95%CI 11,9-21.9; p < 0,001); 303/1615 nurses (150/1615 in 2017-18; +9.5%; 95%CI 7.1-11-9; p < 0,001); 13/43 midwives (2/43 in 2017-18; +25,6%; 95%CI 9.7-40.8; p = 0,002). Lessons Despite the significant increase,further efforts are necessary to reach the WHO target rate. All HCWs categories were positively affected by the multi-modal intervention. LPs seem to play an important role in promoting vaccination among colleagues, in a peer-to-peer trust relationship. Key messages Influenza vaccination rates needs to be increased in healthcare workers for their protection and for patient safety. A well-structured multi-modal intervention programme involving prepared HCW promoters into wards is essential to increase compliance.

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