scholarly journals Uptake of Covid–19 vaccines among frontline workers in California state prisons

Author(s):  
Lea Prince ◽  
Elizabeth Long ◽  
David Studdert ◽  
David Leidner ◽  
Elizabeth T Chin ◽  
...  

Background Prisons are high–risk environments for Covid–19. Vaccination levels among prison staff remain troublingly low – lower than levels among residents and members of the surrounding community. The situation is troubling because prison staff are a key vector for Covid–19 transmission. Objective To assess patterns and timing of staff vaccination in California state prisons and identify individual– and community–level factors associated with being unvaccinated. Design We calculated fractions of prison staff and incarcerated residents in California state prisons who remained unvaccinated. Adjusted analyses identified demographic, community, and peer factors associated with vaccination uptake among staff. Setting California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation prisons. Participants Custody and healthcare staff who worked in direct contact with residents. Main Outcomes and Measures Remaining unvaccinated through June 30, 2021. Results A total of 26 percent of custody staff and 52 percent of healthcare staff took ≥ 1 dose in the first two months of vaccine offer; uptake stagnated thereafter. By June 30, 2021, 61 percent of custody and 37 percent of healthcare staff remained unvaccinated. Remaining unvaccinated was positively associated with younger age, prior Covid–19, residing in a community with relatively low vaccination rates, and sharing shifts with co–workers who had relatively low vaccination rates. Conclusions and Relevance Vaccine uptake among prison staff in California in regular contact with incarcerated residents has plateaued at levels that pose ongoing risks – both of further outbreaks in the prisons and transmission into surrounding communities. Staff decisions to forego vaccination appear to be complex and multifactorial. Achieving safe levels of vaccine protection among frontline staff may necessitate requiring vaccination as condition of employment.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Woods ◽  
Alison Zhong ◽  
Madelyn Vincent

INTRODUCTION: Given the increased risk for infections among pregnant patients and newborns, vaccination against influenza (>50,000,000 annual US cases affecting all ages) and pertussis (>15,000 annual US cases disproportionately affecting newborns) are recommended among pregnant patients in order to protect them and their babies via passive immunity to cover a newborn’s window of vaccine ineligibility. Though flu and Tdap vaccination rates among pregnant patients have been trending upwards nationally, there is still room for improvement to achieve optimal rates. OBJECTIVES: The primary objectives were to study factors that affect the vaccination rates at the University of Tennessee Family Medicine Clinic at Memphis (UTFMC-M), compare those rates with national pregnancy flu/Tdap vaccination rates, and to generate recommendations based off observed factors associated with vaccine uptake to improve flu/Tdap vaccination rates in UTFMC-M pregnant patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective chart review of UTFMC-M patients who were pregnant from September 1, 2019-April 24, 2020 (included 2019-2020 flu season) (n=465). Variables studied included demographic data (race, age, insurance), immunization history (vaccine status, history of physician encouragement), and prenatal history (parity, number of prenatal visits, trimester at first visit, high risk clinic (HRC) admittance status). Vaccination status was based on ACIP recommendations (Flu shot eligible = any gestational age; Tdap eligible = ≥27 weeks). Positive HRC admittance was noted for patients with ≥2 visits to the UTFMC-M HRC, a clinic that specializes in high risk pregnant patient care. RESULTS: The patient sample was predominantly black (84.3%) and insured by Medicaid programs (88%). Among eligible UTFMC-M pregnant patients, 50.1% were flu-vaccinated (n=465); 73.8% were Tdap-vaccinated (n=317); and 52.1% were Flu+Tdap-vaccinated (n=317). No significant associations were found between vaccine uptake and HRC status, parity, and age. However, statistically significant relationships were found between vaccine uptake and physician encouragement (positive relationship with flu shot: X2(1, N = 465) =131, p < 0.001, Tdap: X2 (6, N = 465) =476, p < 0.001), number of prenatal visits (flu shot group median 8 visits, Tdap group median 9 visits vs. unvaccinated group median 4 visits; p < 0.001), and early trimester age at first prenatal visit (X2(6, N = 465) =47.635 , p CONCLUSION: 2019-2020 UTFMC-M vaccination rates were on par with 2018-2019 US flu vaccine rates and higher than 2018-2019 US Tdap and Flu+Tdap rates. There were statistically significant relationships between vaccine uptake at UTFMC-M and physician encouragement, number of prenatal visits, and early trimester age at first prenatal visit but no significant relationships with UTFMC-M HRC admittance, parity, or age. Recommendations following from our observations to address further vaccine rate improvement include: continue vaccine encouragement, continue booking multiple visits (8 for flu, 9 for Tdap), prioritize Tdap vaccine higher for late trimester intake patients, and focus on flu vaccine encouragement and education.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neh Chang Ngasa ◽  
Stewart Ndutard Ngasa ◽  
Leticia Armelle Sani Tchouda ◽  
Eugénie Tanisso ◽  
Christabel Abanda ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The production of the different COVID-19 vaccines has offered hope towards controlling the pandemic. Many governments around the world have been able to secure the number of doses required for the vaccination of their entire population. In Cameroon, the government’s strategy has been to secure the number of doses required to vaccinate frontline workers and other population at risk. A threat to this strategy could be vaccine hesitancy as demonstrated in previous studies. In this article we discussed the influence of spirituality on vaccine acceptance. We also examined other factors associated with vaccine acceptance amongst healthcare workers in Cameroon. Methods: This was a cross-sectional online survey of healthcare workers in Cameroon. Data was collected using Surveysparrow and then computed into Microsoft Excel. All analysis were done using Stata 14. Results: A total number of 371 healthcare workers took part in the survey and 45.38% indicated willingness to accept the vaccine if offered. The most common reason advanced for non-acceptance of the vaccine was negative perceptions about the efficacy of the vaccines. Independent factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance following a multivariate logistic regression included: being married (AOR 1.13, p< 0.01), presence of comorbidity (AOR:2.10, p<0.02), participants who had direct contact with covid patients (AOR: 3.34, p<0.01). Spirituality level was not independently associated with vaccine acceptance (AOR: 1.12, p<0.63). Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccine acceptance amongst healthcare workers in Cameroon is low. This is likely to reduce the vaccine uptake amongst healthcare workers. HCWs are in the best position to influence the uptake of these vaccines by the general population, therefore educating healthcare workers on the efficacy of these vaccines might improve their acceptance.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S644-S645
Author(s):  
Tommy J Parraga Acosta ◽  
Zachary W Hanna ◽  
Nicholas J Daering ◽  
Amit T Vahia ◽  
George J Alangaden

Abstract Background Vaccine administration is an essential component of pre and post-transplant care. Although Society guidelines for vaccination of solid-organ transplant recipients (SOT) are published, rates of vaccination remain low and potential factors influencing these rates are not well identified. Methods A retrospective review of electronic medical records (EMR) was done for all adult SOT patients who underwent transplantation from January 2015 to December 2016 at Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI. Sociodemographic data, comorbidities, and vaccination status at 1-year post-SOT for influenza, pneumococcus, hepatitis A and B, Tdap, and Td vaccines were assessed from EMR and the Michigan Care Improvement Registry. Data were analyzed using SAS 9.4 software, univariate analysis was done with Chi-square test, t-test, and multivariate analysis with logistic regression. Results 530 patients underwent SOT during the study period. Characteristics of the study population are shown (Table 1). The median age was 59, mean Charlson Comorbidity Index was 5.25, 58.3% had smoking history. At 1-year post SOT, 88.7% had received ≥1 vaccine(s), whereas 11.3% received no vaccines. Most patients received vaccines before SOT. Influenza (69.4%) and pneumococcal (69.3%) vaccines were the most administered (Table 2). On univariate analysis, pre-SOT visits with a primary care provider (PCP), transplant team or PCP based at our institution were significantly associated with vaccination (Table 3). On multivariate analysis, PCP based at our institution (odds ratio [OR], 2.03 [95% confidence interval {CI}, [1.06–3.88], P = 0.033) and pre-SOT PCP visits (OR 1.47, [95% CI 1.11–1.96], P = 0.008) were significantly associated with vaccine uptake. Smoking history negatively impacted vaccine uptake (Table 4). Patients who had received the influenza vaccine(s) were significantly associated with increased uptake of other vaccines (P < 0.0001). Conclusion Despite guidelines, vaccination rates in SOT patients remain low at our institution. Factors associated with improved vaccination were institution-based PCP, pre-SOT PCP visits and receipt of influenza vaccines. A multidisciplinary approach is required for the optimization of vaccination rates in the SOT population. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nirma Khatri Vadlamudi ◽  
Fawziah Marra

Background: Many studies report vaccine uptake among young adults aged 18 to 49 years is low. In Canada, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends influenza vaccination for adults in contact with young children, however vaccination rates for this specific population are missing. An estimate is required to identify appropriate public health interventions. The objective of this study was to describe recent trends in influenza vaccination uptake among Canadian adults aged 18 to 49 years old living with or without young children.Methods: The Canadian Community Health Survey (2013-2014) dataset, available for public use was used after grouping individuals by influenza vaccination uptake within the past year in adults aged 18 to 49 years.  The relationship between living in a household with young children and influenza vaccination uptake was examined using a multivariable logistic regression model.Results: Among Canadian adults aged 18 to 49 years, the influenza vaccination uptake was 24.1% in adult household contacts with young children compared to 18.2% in those without young children (p<.0001). After adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics and self-perceived health, we determined that vaccine uptake was associated with living in a household with young children (adjusted OR: 1.30 [95%CI: 1.17-1.44]). While socio-demographic characteristics and self-perceived health greatly influenced influenza vaccination uptake, we also found marital status was a strong influencer of influenza vaccine uptake (adjusted OR:  1.31 [95%CI: 1.16-1.48]). Conclusion: Overall, influenza vaccination uptake among caregiving adults is low. Increased vaccine uptake was associated with living in a household with one or more young children. Targeted education and vaccination programs are required to improve uptake of the influenza vaccine in this age group.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert P Murphy ◽  
Carol Taaffe ◽  
Elayne Ahern ◽  
Grace McMahon ◽  
Orla Muldoon

Background: High vaccination rates are needed to protect against influenza and to end the COVID-19 pandemic. Health authorities need to know if supplementing mass communications with direct correspondence to the community would increase uptake. Objectives: The primary objective is to determine if sending a single written message directly to individuals increases influenza vaccine uptake, and a secondary objective is to identify any identified content shown to increase influenza vaccine uptake. Methods: PubMed, PsycInfo and Web of Science were searched for English language RCTs testing a single correspondence for members of the community in OECD countries to obtain influenza vaccination. A meta-analysis with inverse-variance, random-effects modelling was used to estimate a mean, weighted risk ratio effect size measure of vaccine uptake. Studies were quality assessed and analysis was undertaken to account for potential publication bias. Results: Twenty-two randomized controlled trials were included covering 37 interventions. Of the 37 interventions, 32 (86%) report an increase in influenza vaccination rates. A formal meta-analysis shows that sending a single written message increases influenza vaccine uptake by 18% (RR = 1.18, 95%CI [1.13-1.22], Z = 8.56, p < .001) relative to the no contact comparator group. Analysis shows that the intervention is effective across correspondence type, age group, time, and location, and after allowing for risk of publication bias. Limitations: The review was restricted to English language publications, and the generalizability of results across the OECD may be questioned. Conclusions and implications: The implication for public health authorities organizing vaccination programs for influenza, and arguably also for COVID-19, is that sending written vaccination correspondence to members of the community is likely to increase uptake. Keywords: vaccine uptake, COVID-19, influenza, direct correspondence, meta-analysis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (S1) ◽  
pp. s11-s11
Author(s):  
Kimberly Korwek ◽  
E. Jackie Blanchard ◽  
Julia Moody ◽  
Katherine Lange ◽  
Ryan Sledge ◽  
...  

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


2018 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirsten MA Trayner ◽  
Niall Anderson ◽  
J Claire Cameron

Background: In response to an outbreak of severe meningococcal disease caused by serogroup W, the UK introduced the meningococcal ACWY (MenACWY) for adolescents and new university students as a control measure. Objective: To estimate MenACWY vaccine uptake and identify factors associated with uptake, barriers and motivations towards vaccination among university students. Design: Mixed methods including a cross-sectional survey, 7 interviews and 1 focus group. Setting: A Scottish university between April and May 2016. Methods: Inclusion criteria were <25 years and attending university for the first time (MenACWY eligible). All first-year undergraduates ( n = 5,808) were invited to take part in the survey via email, and qualitative participants were recruited through the survey. The final sample consisted of 768 students, representing 13% (768/5,808) of the target population. Results: MenACWY uptake among the sample was 71.5% (549/768). Older students (22–24 years) were less likely than younger students (18 years) to have been vaccinated [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.21; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.06–0.77], and male students were less likely to be vaccinated than female students (aOR = 0.667; 95% CI = 0.45–0.96). In comparison to international students, domestic students had a significantly higher odds of vaccination (aOR = 3.89; 95% CI = 2.64–5.72). Communication barriers were most frequently identified as reasons for non-vaccination. Most vaccination occurred before starting university (76.7%, 421/549), highlighting access barriers. Meningococcal disease knowledge was low; a significant association ( p < 0.001) was found between knowledge and vaccination uptake. Some participants were unaware of their vaccination history. They perceived meningococcal disease as severe, but disease risk as low. Key motivations were knowledge of the benefits of vaccines, influence of others and social responsibility. Conclusion: Students outside main UK-based, core age cohorts were under-immunised and focused efforts are needed to improve vaccination rates. Future student vaccination programmes could focus on raising awareness of the serious implications of meningococcal disease. Additional benefit may be gained from emphasising the benefits of vaccinations for society as a whole.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bjørn Kjetil Larsen ◽  
Sarah Hean ◽  
Atle Ødegård

Purpose Interprofessional collaboration is necessary for handling the complex psychosocial needs of prisoners. This collaboration must be addressed to avoid high recidivism rates and the human and societal costs linked to them. Challenges are exacerbated by a linear approach to handling prisoners’ problems, silo working between welfare agencies and professional boundaries between frontline workers. There are few adequate theoretical frameworks and tools to address these challenges in the prison context. The purpose of this study is to explore the perceptions that frontline staff working in Norwegian prison facilities have regarding interprofessional collaboration in providing mental health services for prisoners. Design/methodology/approach This study had a non-experimental, cross-sectional design to explore perceptions of interprofessional collaboration in a prison context. Descriptive and multifactorial analyses (exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis) were used to explore the data. Findings The analysis showed that three factors, communication, organizational culture and domain, explained 95% of the variance. Results are discussed using relational coordination, as well as the conceptual PINCOM model, as a theoretical framework. Originality/value Few studies explicitly explore collaboration between professionals in mental health and prison services despite its being a prerequisite to achieving sufficient services for prisoners. To our knowledge, this current study is one of the first in Norway to explore collaboration in a prison context by analysing quantitative data and focusing on frontline workers perception of the phenomenon.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aharona Glatman-Freedman ◽  
Kanar Amir ◽  
Rita Dichtiar ◽  
Hila Zadka ◽  
Ifat Vainer ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Vaccinating children against influenza has shown both direct and indirect beneficial effects. However, despite being offered free of charge, childhood influenza vaccine coverage in Israel has been low. Our objective was to evaluate the factors associated with childhood influenza vaccination in Israel. Methods A cross-sectional language-specific telephone survey was conducted among adults 18 years or older, to examine childhood influenza vaccination practices and their associations with socio-demographic and relevant health variables. We further explored the reasons for these practices among parents. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with childhood influenza vaccine acceptance. Results Of a total of 6518 individuals contacted by mobile phone, 1165 eligible parents, ≥18 years old with children 1–18 years of age, were interviewed, and 1040 of them completed the survey successfully. Overall, factors associated with childhood influenza vaccination were younger child’s age, influenza vaccination of other family members and belonging to the Arab population group. No association was found between childhood influenza vaccination and routine childhood vaccine uptake. Several of the parents’ reasons for vaccine acceptance - preventing influenza or its transmission, awareness regarding the need for influenza vaccination and receipt of invitation to get vaccinated - differed significantly between Jewish and Arab parents. Several reasons reported by parents for not vaccinating children against influenza, indicated a likelihood to accept influenza vaccine outreach efforts. Such reasons were reported by 27.5% of Jewish parents and 37.5% of Arab parents. Conclusions We found that certain demographic factors were associated with childhood influenza vaccination in Israel. Several reasons described by the parent for not vaccinating their children indicate that outreach efforts are likely to increase childhood influenza vaccination. Addressing population group-specific needs is recommended to optimize the success of influenza vaccine outreach efforts.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document