scholarly journals 2019-20 influenza coverage among healthcare workers: how a Northern-Italian Region tackles hesitancy

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
F Antinolfi ◽  
L Brunelli ◽  
F Malacarne ◽  
F G Bucci ◽  
G Varadi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Self Administration ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Research Institution ◽  
Flu Vaccination ◽  
Academic Center ◽  
Component Approach

Abstract Introduction WHO stresses the need to implement multi-component interventions to raise coverage among healthcare workers (HCWs). We investigated different HCWs influenza immunization programs within Friuli Venezia Giulia (FVG) Region hospitals (Italy) during 2019-20 flu season with the aim of identifying the most effective strategies to tackle hesitancy. Methods In December 2019 we collected from FVG hospitals: number of employed HCWs, vaccination strategies against flu and refusers management during 2019-20 flu season. We obtained data about HCWs flu vaccination coverage from the regional database; Chi-square test was used to find correlation between strategies and coverage. Results We collected data from 7/7 hospitals for a total of employed HCWs of 12,557 (average 1,794; range 467-3,922); 2 hospitals being academic centers and 2 research institutions. All hospitals promoted flu vaccination using emails, notice on hospital website and posters display; 3/7 organized training courses. Vaccination was always provided within the hospital in a dedicated easy and free access room; most hospitals (5/7) also offered ward on-site sessions, some allowing ward self-administration (3/7) or organizing on demand extra-sessions (2/7). No countermeasures were taken in case of refusal. Regional HCWs flu vaccination coverage resulted to be 24.9% (range 17-33.3). Multi-component intervention including passive and active offer, communication and education activities was confirmed to be significantly associated with higher HCWs flu coverage (OR 1.7; CI 1.6-1.9; p < 0.01), as well as being the hospital an academic center or a research institution (OR 1.3; CI 1.2-1.5; p < 0.01). Conclusions Different strategies to foster HCWs vaccination were adopted in FVG Region during 2019-20 flu season. The multi-component approach producing the best results should be further analyzed in order to identify the most effective recipe to be shared both nationally and internationally. Key messages Investigating the relation between HCWs flu immunization strategies and their effect is crucial to identify best practices. A multi-component approach including passive and active offer, communication and education activities seems the most effective way to tackle influenza vaccine hesitancy among HCWs.

scholarly journals Flu vaccination coverage in a large Italian teaching hospital: the example of the leaders

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Di Pumpo ◽  
A Barbara ◽  
D I La Milia ◽  
A Tamburrano ◽  
D Vallone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Teaching Hospital ◽  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Vaccination Rate ◽  
Coverage Rate ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Vaccination Coverage Rate ◽  
Flu Vaccination ◽  
Frail Patients

Abstract Annual flu vaccination among healthcare workers (HCWs) is recommended to prevent influenza and to avoid its transmission especially to frail patients. In our teaching hospital, flu vaccination rate among HCWs has been growing during last 3 years. The aim of this study was therefore to describe the flu vaccination coverage across the past 3 years and to analyze which factors lead to such increase. We performed a cross-sectional study on all HCWs of Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” (FPG) hospital of Rome (Italy) to determine the flu vaccination coverage. Socio-demographic and occupational data were collected from hospital personnel records and included age, gender, previous flu vaccination, profession and workplace unit. On site vaccination plus academic detailing involving leaders have been the main strategies adopted in this last 3 years that have already proved to be effective in increasing vaccination coverage among HCWs. During the 2018-2019 season, we analyzed how the flu vaccination coverage among leaders (nurse coordinators and head physicians) could affect all HCWs coverage rate. Flu vaccination rate increased from 9.57% in the 2016-17 to 14.24% in the 2017-18 and to 22.38% in 2018-2019. A total of 4035 HCWs employed in the FPG were included in 2018-19. Concerning the role played by vaccination of leaders in increasing general vaccination coverage during the 2018-2019, the group of HCWs with a vaccinated leader showed a higher coverage rate (28.65%) than the group with a non-vaccinated leader (16.22%) (p < 0.0001). The results are preliminary. Flu vaccination coverage of HCWs in our hospital during the last 3 years has been increasingly higher. Vaccination of the leaders, in addition to previously implemented effective strategies, resulted to be a key factor in increasing flu vaccination coverage among all HCWs. Socio-demographic and occupational variables can significantly influence the coverage rate as well. Key messages Annual flu vaccination among healthcare workers (HCWs) is recommended to prevent influenza and to avoid its transmission especially to frail patients. This study shows the growing flu vaccination coverage rate in our teaching hospital and the effectiveness of the example given by the vaccinated leaders in increasing the coverage among all HCWs.

Flu vaccination coverage among healthcare workers: the example of younger generations

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Di Pumpo ◽  
T E Lanza ◽  
L Villani ◽  
G Aulino ◽  
A Barbara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Clinical Training ◽  
Vaccination Campaign ◽  
Medical Residents ◽  
Flu Vaccination ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Good Prevention

Abstract Flu vaccination is highly recommended among Healthcare Workers (HCWs). The low coverage in Italy among HCWs (mean 15.6% for 2016/17 flu season, ECDC) calls for new approaches. The aim of this study was to evaluate in which measure the vaccination coverage among HCWs registered during the 2019-2020 flu vaccination campaign in a large Teaching Hospital in Rome was affected by age and education. A retrospective observational quasi-experimental study was conducted. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis (chi-square test, significance level of 0.05) were performed. The 2019-2020 flu vaccination campaign was aimed at more than 4000 employed HCWs (total coverage 24.2%). Vaccination was also extended to not-employed HCWs such as Medical Residents (MRs) and Medical Students (MSs) in clinical training. The coverage in this groups was higher (46.0% and 63.2% respectively) and the difference between them and the coverage among employed HCWs was statistically significant (p < 0.05); Further analysis was performed comparing MRs / MSs in clinical training with their respective professional group of employed HCWs, with a percentage of vaccinated Medical Doctors (MD) of 36.6%. MRs / MSs in clinical training coverage was higher than MDs coverage and the difference still proved to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). The higher coverage among MRs / MSs in clinical training could be explained, in general, in light of the more open-mindedness to prevention and to healthy lifestyles that characterizes young people with an up-to-date education. It could also be explained considering the specific culture and sense of responsibility of Medical Students and Medical Residents towards their high-demanding educational path and clinical training as an incentive not to get ill. Flu vaccination is highly recommended among HCWs. Younger generations, who represent the future of Healthcare, prove to be more open-minded and responsible towards good prevention practices such as this. Key messages Flu vaccination is highly recommended among HCWs. Younger generations, who represent the future of Healthcare, prove to be more open-minded and responsible towards good prevention practices.

scholarly journals Vaccination and Vaccine Effectiveness: A Commentary of Special Issue Editors

Vaccines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 545
Author(s):  
Claudio Costantino ◽  
Alessandra Casuccio ◽  
Vincenzo Restivo
Keyword(s):  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Vaccine Effectiveness ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Vaccine Preventable Diseases ◽  
At Risk Populations ◽  
Personal Risk Factors ◽  
Coverage Rates

The Special Issue “Vaccination and Vaccine Effectiveness”, published in the journal Vaccines, has the main aim to increase international literature data on vaccine effectiveness and safety and on vaccination strategies in order to reduce vaccine hesitancy and improve vaccination coverage rates. The main topics included in the call for papers were vaccines administered to infants, adolescents, adults, elderly people, at-risk populations (due to comorbidities and personal risk factors) and healthcare workers and strategies adopted to promote vaccination adherence among these categories. This Special Issue started from the assumption that, despite vaccination being universally recognized as one of the best strategies to increase duration and quality of life during the last centuries, vaccination coverage rates are often under the levels recommended to reduce circulation and to extinguish vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccine hesitancy involves at least 15% of the general population, and healthcare workers also sometimes demonstrate doubts on vaccination effectiveness and safety. At the end of the six-month submission period, 16 articles (15 research article and one review) were accepted after the peer-review processes and published online.

scholarly journals A Wide Range of Strategies to Cope with Healthcare Workers’ Vaccine Hesitancy in A North-Eastern Italian Region: Are They Enough?

Healthcare ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
Laura Brunelli ◽  
Francesca Antinolfi ◽  
Francesca Malacarne ◽  
Roberto Cocconi ◽  
Silvio Brusaferro
Keyword(s):  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Control Policy ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Italian Region ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Vaccine Preventable Diseases ◽  
Wide Range

The recent pandemic reminded the world of the high risk of healthcare workers (HCWs) and patient contagiousness along with the healthcare services disruption related to nosocomial outbreaks. This study aims at describing vaccination campaigns within healthcare institutions of a North-Italian Region and comparing their effectiveness in term of vaccination coverage. In December 2019, we surveyed all healthcare institutions of Friuli Venezia Giulia Region throughout an email questionnaire with 15 questions investigating strategies adopted for the vaccination of HCWs against influenza and other vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), along with actions put in place in case of a VPD exposure. We found a strong heterogeneity in VPDs prevention and control policy and practice for HCWs, along with responsibility attribution ranging among different stakeholders. Strategies adopted to promote vaccination included a wide range of methods, but HCWs’ influenza vaccination coverage still ranged from 17.0 to 33.3%. Contact tracing after a VPD exposure did not always include medical residents and students and visitors/caregivers/extra personnel as possible contacts. Even if knowledge and complacency gaps among HCWs could be faced with education activities, more efforts should be done in identifying and implementing effective vaccination strategies, and mandatory vaccination for HCWs could be introduced to achieve host, herd, and healthcare immunity preventing possible hospital outbreaks.

scholarly journals Attitudes toward vaccination among healthcare workers: a cross-sectional study from Italy

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
G Di Martino ◽  
P Di Giovanni ◽  
F Cedrone ◽  
M D'Addezio ◽  
A Di Girolamo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Local Health Authority ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Flu Vaccination ◽  
Obstetric Nurses

Abstract Background In Italy, the loss of confidence in vaccines has resulted in low vaccination coverage also among healthcare workers (HCWs). Low vaccination coverage among HCWs may lead to dangerous outbreaks and may increase absenteeism. The aim of this study was to investigate vaccine coverage and the attitudes toward vaccination among HCWs. Methods A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted from August to November 2019 among HCWs referring to all the hospitals of the Local Health Authority 02 of Abruzzo Region, Italy. The survey was based on the questionnaire proposed by the H-ProImmune Project, aiming at investigating vaccination coverage and beliefs towards vaccination. Besides a descriptive analysis of the results, a logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between vaccine coverage and type of occupation (medical doctor, nurse, obstetric nurse, other). Results A total of 347 HCWs were enrolled in the study. The 57.3% reported to have missed diphtheritis-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccination, the 50.1% reported to have missed measles-mumps-rubella (MPR) vaccination, and the 62.5% reported to have missed flu vaccination. In comparison with medical doctors, obstetric nurses were more likely to be associated to MPR vaccination (OR 2.8;95%CI 1.1-7.6; p = 0.047). As far as flu vaccination was concerned, both nurses and obstetric nurses showed lower confidence (respectively OR 0.2; 95%CI 0.1-0.3; p < 0.001 and OR 0.1; 95%CI 0.1-0.5; p = 0.003). Moreover, other healthcare professionals reported to believe in natural immunization more than in vaccination (26.5%; p < 0.001) and they were also worried about long-term effects of vaccination (10.2%; p = 0.044). Differently, nurses were more frequently worried about vaccine side effects (24%; p < 0.001). Conclusions This survey shows that the vaccination coverage taken into consideration results to be below the 95% threshold. Training on vaccine and mandatory measures may be necessary in order to achieve better coverage. Key messages Among HCW all vaccination coverage considered resulted below the threshold. Training on vaccine and mandatory measures may be needed in order to achieve better coverage.

scholarly journals FLUChallenge: an innovative strategy to increase flu vaccination in two Italian Teaching Hospitals

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Barbara ◽  
E Azzolini ◽  
M DiPumpo ◽  
D I La Milia ◽  
D Vallone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Teaching Hospitals ◽  
Innovative Strategy ◽  
Innovative Strategies ◽  
Flu Vaccination ◽  
New Strategy ◽  
Common Strategy ◽  
Inferential Analysis ◽  
Job Category

Abstract In Europe flu vaccination among healthcare workers (HCWs) is strongly recommended even though not mandatory such as elsewhere (USA). Despite this, vaccination coverage in EU countries is usually low: 30.2% in 2016-17. In Italy, at the end of the same season it was 15.6%. Aim of this study is to describe and evaluate the new strategy adopted by Gemelli and Humanitas Research Hospitals, two Italian Teaching Hospitals (THs) part of the MIRO Public Health Center, to increase the vaccination coverage among their HCWs. Before the 2019-20 campaign, experts of the two THs met up to identify a common strategy to promote flu vaccination among HCWs in addition to the ones already implemented. It was decided to launch a FLUChallenge: a platform of monitoring updated bi-weekly and available on the THs' internal websites with the vaccination coverage overall and stratified by job category and macro-areas of activity. Descriptive and inferential analysis were performed. Preliminary Results 6673 HCWs included (4241 Gemelli, 2432 Humanitas). The overall flu vaccination coverage at the end of the 2019-20 campaign was 28.4% (1026 HCWs vaccinated Gemelli, equal to 24.2%; 869 HCWs vaccinated Humanitas, 35.7%). Both THs significantly increased the vaccination coverage compared to the previous year (+10% Gemelli, 22% in 2018-19, p = 0.01; +45.7% Humanitas, 24.5% in 2018-19, p < 0.001). Physicians had the highest coverage both in Gemelli (483/1320, 36.6%) and Humanitas (443/979, 45.2%), while the lowest was registered among nurses in Gemelli (357/2017, 17.7%) and other HCWs in Humanitas (134/605, 22.1%). Infectious disease was the macro-area with highest coverage in Gemelli (32.3%), while in Humanitas the emergency department (63.9%). The FLUChallenge intervention was an effective strategy to increase flu vaccination coverage in the two TH. The website platform was useful for the purpose of accountability and able to create a positive challenge between the HCWs working in the two THs involved. Key messages Flu vaccination among healthcare workers (HCWs) is recommended to prevent influenza and to avoid its transmission. It is important to promote new engagement and innovative strategies to increase flu vaccination coverage among HCWs, when it is not mandatory.

scholarly journals Comparing the Attitude toward the COVID-19 and the 2020/21 and 2019/20 Flu Vaccination Campaigns among Italian Healthcare Workers

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1312
Author(s):  
Giulia Collatuzzo ◽  
Riccardo Melloni ◽  
Chiara Zanotti ◽  
Giulio de Simone ◽  
Danila Pilastro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Kappa Statistics ◽  
Quantitative Evidence ◽  
Flu Vaccination ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Vaccination Campaigns

Background: While the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine among healthcare workers (HCWs) is suboptimal, vaccine hesitancy has not been characterized in detail in this population. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of health-related conditions reported by HCWs during the COVID-19, 2020/21 flu, and 2019/20 flu vaccination campaigns, so to test the hypothesis that HCWs were more prone to report health conditions during the COVID-19 campaign. Methods: We analyzed vaccination questionnaires of 176 hospital-based HCWs who underwent the COVID-19 and the 2020/21 flu vaccinations; 2019/20 flu vaccination questionnaires were available for 130 of them. Outcomes included self-reported allergies, chronic diseases, and use of medications. We tested for prevalence equality, analyzed differences using the kappa statistics and concordance correlation, and explored factors associated with differences in reporting. Results: There was no difference in the proportion of HCWs reporting allergies in the three questionnaires, while chronic diseases were more frequently reported in the COVID-19 than in both 2020/21 (p = 0.04) and 2019/20 flu questionnaires (p = 0.02). Furthermore, a higher proportion of HCWs reported medications use in the COVID-19 vaccination questionnaire, compared to both the 2020/21 and the 2019/20 flu vaccination questionnaires (p < 0.001 for both). In each vaccine campaign, women reported more conditions than men, and the difference between chronic disease reports was greater for women than for men. Conclusions: Our results show more frequent reporting of health conditions during the COVID-19 than the flu vaccination campaigns, providing quantitative evidence of hesitancy of HCWs towards the COVID-19 vaccine.

scholarly journals Strategies to Increase Flu Vaccination Coverage among Healthcare Workers: A 4 Years Study in a Large Italian Teaching Hospital

Vaccines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Barbara ◽  
Daniele Ignazio La Milia ◽  
Marcello Di Pumpo ◽  
Alessia Tognetto ◽  
Andrea Tamburrano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Coverage Rate ◽  
Vaccination Coverage Rate ◽  
Flu Vaccination ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Job Category ◽  
And Gender ◽  
New Evidence ◽  
Good Prevention

Flu vaccination is recommended among healthcare workers (HCWs). The low vaccination coverage registered in our hospital among HCWs called for new engaging approaches to improve flu vaccination coverage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of different strategies implemented during the last four years (2015–2019). A quasi-experimental study was conducted, involving almost 4000 HCWs each year. Starting from the 2015–2016 campaign, new evidence-based strategies were progressively implemented. At the end of each campaign, an evaluation of the vaccination coverage rate reached was performed. Moreover, during the last three campaigns, differences in coverage among job category, wards involved or not in on-site vaccination (OSV) intervention, age classes and gender were analyzed. An increasing flu vaccination coverage rate was registered, from 6% in 2015–2016 to almost 22% at the end of 2018–2019. The overall number of vaccinated HCWs increased, especially at younger ages. OSV strategy always leads to better results, and physicians always show a higher vaccination coverage than nurses and other HCWs. The implemented strategies were effective in achieving higher flu vaccination coverage among HCWs in our hospital and therefore can be considered valuable examples of good prevention practices in hospital settings.

scholarly journals Is COVID-19 a Real Incentive for Flu Vaccination? Let the Numbers Speak for Themselves

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 276
Author(s):  
Marcello Di Pumpo ◽  
Giuseppe Vetrugno ◽  
Domenico Pascucci ◽  
Elettra Carini ◽  
Viria Beccia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Linear Regression ◽  
Regression Model ◽  
Teaching Hospital ◽  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Linear Regression Model ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Surveys And Questionnaires ◽  
Flu Vaccination ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Seasonal Flu

Seasonal flu vaccination is one of the most important strategies for preventing influenza. The attitude towards flu vaccination in light of the COVID-19 pandemic has so far been studied in the literature mostly with the help of surveys and questionnaires. Whether a person chooses to be vaccinated or not during the COVID-19 pandemic, however, speaks louder than any declaration of intention. In our teaching hospital, we registered a statistically significant increase in flu vaccination coverage across all professional categories between the 2019/2020 and the 2020/2021 campaign (24.19% vs. 54.56%, p < 0.0001). A linear regression model, based on data from four previous campaigns, predicted for the 2020/2021 campaign a total flu vaccination coverage of 30.35%. A coverage of 54.46% was, instead, observed, with a statistically significant difference from the predicted value (p < 0.0001). The COVID-19 pandemic can, therefore, be considered as an incentive that significantly and dramatically increased adherence to flu vaccination among our healthcare workers.

scholarly journals Social media, vaccine hesitancy and trust deficit in immunization programs: a qualitative enquiry in Malappuram District of Kerala, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (S2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anoop T. Nair ◽  
Kesavan Rajasekharan Nayar ◽  
Shaffi Fazaludeen Koya ◽  
Minu Abraham ◽  
Jinbert Lordson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Health Staff ◽  
Immunization Programs ◽  
Medical Practitioners

Abstract Background With increased penetration of the internet and social media, there are concerns regarding its negative role in influencing parents’ decisions regarding vaccination for their children. It is perceived that a mix of religious reasons and propaganda by anti-vaccination groups on social media are lowering the vaccination coverage in Malappuram district of Kerala. We undertook a qualitative study to understand the factors responsible for generating and perpetuating vaccine hesitancy, the pathways of trust deficit in immunization programs and the interaction between various social media actors. Methods In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted among parents/caregivers, physicians, public sector health staff, alternative system medical practitioners, field healthcare workers and teachers in areas with highest and lowest vaccination coverage in the district, as well as with communication experts. Results The trust deficit between parents/caregivers and healthcare providers is created by multiple factors, such as providers’ lack of technical knowledge, existing patriarchal societal norms and critical views of vaccine by naturopaths and homeopaths. Anti-vaccine groups use social media to influence caregivers' perceptions and beliefs. Religion does not appear to play a major role in creating vaccine resistance in this setting. Conclusions A long-term, multipronged strategy should be adopted to address the trust deficit. In the short to medium term, the health sector can focus on appropriate and targeted vaccine-related communication strategies, including the use of infographics, soft skills training for healthcare workers, technical competency improvement through a mobile application-based repository of information and creation of a media cell to monitor vaccine-related conversations in social media and to intervene if needed.

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