Covid-19: Is the UK heading towards mandatory vaccination of healthcare workers?

Abstract A policy mandating the completion of an online learning module for healthcare workers intending to decline influenza immunization was associated with a nearly 25% relative increase in immunization and significant reduction in healthcare-associated influenza. In the absence of mandatory vaccination, this model may help to augment severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine efforts.

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Future Healthcare Workers and Hepatitis B Vaccination: A New Generation

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18157783 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (15) ◽

pp. 7783

Author(s):

Andrea Trevisan ◽

Paola Mason ◽

Annamaria Nicolli ◽

Stefano Maso ◽

Marco Fonzo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis B ◽

Antibody Titer ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Lower Percentage ◽

Hepatitis B Vaccination ◽

High Morbidity ◽

One Year ◽

Mandatory Vaccination ◽

University Of Padua ◽

The University

Before the introduction of universal vaccination, hepatitis B caused high morbidity and mortality, especially among healthcare workers. In the present study, the immune status against hepatitis B was assessed in a cohort of 11,188 students of the degree courses of the School of Medicine of the University of Padua (Italy) who had been subjected to mandatory vaccination in childhood or adolescence and who will be future healthcare workers. The variables that influence the antibody response to vaccination are mainly the age at which the vaccine was administered and sex. If vaccination was administered before one year of age, there is a high probability (around 50%) of having an antibody titer lower than 10 IU/L compared to those vaccinated after one year of age (12.8%). The time between vaccine and analysis is not decisive. Furthermore, female sex, but only if vaccination was administered after one year of age, shows a significant (p = 0.0008) lower percentage of anti-HBs below 10 IU/L and a greater antibody titer (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, the differences related to the age of vaccination induce more doubts than answers. The only plausible hypothesis, in addition to the different immune responses (innate and adaptive), is the type of vaccine. This is not easy to verify because vaccination certificates rarely report it.

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Healthwise: Part 1. Maintaining a healthy body weight

British Journal of Healthcare Assistants ◽

10.12968/bjha.2021.15.4.169 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (4) ◽

pp. 169-173

Author(s):

Linda Nazarko

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Death Rate ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Poor Health ◽

The Third ◽

Lifestyle Choices ◽

The World ◽

Healthy Body Weight ◽

The Uk ◽

Healthy Body

Coronavirus (COVID-19) has claimed the lives of over 150 000 people in the UK ( UK Government, 2021 ). The UK has the third highest death rate in the world and the fourth highest obesity rate ( Lobstein, 2021 ). Although the UK is a developed nation, many people in the UK experience poor health, as a result of being overweight and inactive. Healthcare workers are not immune from these issues. This article, the first in a series, explores how readers can remain healthy and well by making lifestyle choices that promote health.

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Should influenza vaccination be mandatory for healthcare workers?

Healthcare Management Forum ◽

10.1177/0840470418794209 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 31 (5) ◽

pp. 214-217 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Nikolija Lukich ◽

Michael Kekewich ◽

Virginia Roth

Keyword(s):

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Healthcare Organizations ◽

Medical Field ◽

Public Health Perspective ◽

Vaccination Programs ◽

The Past ◽

Immunization Rates ◽

Mandatory Vaccination ◽

Personal Interests

Each year, many healthcare organizations deal with low influenza immunization rates among staff. Mandatory influenza vaccination programs may be considered in order to address this issue. These types of programs have caused controversy in the past, as staff has argued that they infringe upon their liberties and right to autonomy. However, if viewed from a public health perspective, mandatory vaccination programs are beneficial for both employees and patients and can be justified. When individuals make the decision to work in the medical field, it is assumed that their values align with those of the organization for which they work. This overrides their right to autonomy, since they are expected to put the safety of their patients ahead of their own personal interests. Although some may argue that receiving a flu shot is unsafe, evidence has demonstrated the opposite, and the minimal discomfort that may result from a vaccine is not enough to negate the responsibilities that healthcare workers have toward the patients they serve.

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Standardised, quantitative neutralisation responses to SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern by convalescent anti-sera from first wave infections of UK Health Care Workers and Patients

10.1101/2021.05.24.21257729 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Diego Cantoni ◽

Martin Mayora-Neto ◽

Angalee Nadesalingam ◽

David A. Wells ◽

George W. Carnell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care Workers ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

World Health Organisation ◽

World Health ◽

Care Centre ◽

International Standard ◽

Care Workers ◽

The World ◽

Antibody Titres ◽

The Uk

One of the defining criteria of Variants of Concern (VOC) is their ability to evade pre-existing immunity, increased transmissibility, morbidity and/or mortality. Here we examine the capacity of convalescent plasma, from a well defined cohort of healthcare workers (HCW) and Patients infected during the first wave from a national critical care centre in the UK, to neutralise B.1.1.298 variant and three VOCs; B.1.1.7, B.1.351 and P.1. Furthermore, to enable lab to lab, country to country comparisons we utilised the World Health Organisation (WHO) International Standard for anti-SARS-CoV-2 Immunoglobulin to report neutralisation findings in International Units. These findings demonstrate a significant reduction in the ability of first wave convalescent plasma to neutralise the VOCs. In addition, Patients and HCWs with more severe COVID-19 were found to have higher antibody titres and to neutralise the VOCs more effectively than individuals with milder symptoms. Widespread use of the WHO International Standard by laboratories in different countries will allow for cross-laboratory comparisons, to benchmark and to establish thresholds of protection against SARS-CoV-2 and levels of immunity in different settings and countries.

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Healthcare workers and measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) status: how worried should we be about further outbreaks?

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268813002859 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 142 (8) ◽

pp. 1688-1694 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

S. BASU ◽

P. GIRI ◽

A. ADISESH ◽

R. McNAUGHT

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Age Groups ◽

Positive Serology ◽

Entry Level ◽

Point Of Entry ◽

The Uk

SUMMARYRecently, a number of outbreaks of measles and mumps have occurred within the UK and Europe. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at risk of contracting and transmitting disease to patients and staff. To examine this risk at the point of entry to healthcare, we assessed the serological results of new HCWs presenting for pre-placement clearance without evidence of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) immunity between 1 April 2010 and 31 March 2012. Overall rates of serological positivity to MMR across all age groups were 88·2%, 68·8% and 93·9%, respectively. With regard to measles and mumps, there were statistically significant decreases in the percentage of HCWs born after 1980 that had positive serology (P < 0·05). No such differences were seen between healthcare groups. Most seronegative HCWs accepted MMR vaccination. Despite our entry-level findings, the ongoing risk of a MMR outbreak within this cohort of HCWs appears low.

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Cutting edge or ignored resource: assessing the uptake and content of the NHS e-Learning for healthcare on “identifying and supporting survivors of modern slavery”

Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/pubmed/fdz124 ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Segan Helle ◽

Sarah Steele

Keyword(s):

International Law ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Local Level ◽

Freedom Of Information ◽

Modern Slavery ◽

The World ◽

E Learning ◽

Open Session ◽

The Uk ◽

Level Variable

Abstract Background Across the last decade, healthcare emerged as a critical space for combatting modern slavery. Accurate and informative training of healthcare professionals is, therefore, essential. In the UK, the National Health Service (NHS) plays a central role in the identification and care of survivors. With training at the local-level variable, an e-Learning programme was developed. We ask: has this programme reached NHS staff? Is it accurate? Should the e-Learning approach be replicated around the world? Method A Freedom of Information request has been sent to the NHS’s Health Education England for data held on registrations, sessions and completions since 2014. An open session was used to assess the content. Results Across the past 5 years, there have been 31 191 registrations (≈2% of the workforce) and 1763 completed sessions (≈0.12%). Uptake remains low. We also identify deficiencies in the ways the programme represents modern slavery, and how the program engages with the complexities of national and international law and UK policy, as well as reporting mechanisms. Conclusions e-Learning, while flexible and on-going, must be engaging and, we suggest, accompanied by in-person sessions. Materials should be co-produced with survivors and healthcare workers around the world to improve interest and relevance. Updating content regularly is critical.

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Young victims of youth violence: using youth workers in the emergency department to facilitate ‘teachable moments’ and to improve access to services

Archives of Disease in Childhood - Education and Practice ◽

10.1136/archdischild-2019-318251 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. edpract-2019-318251

Author(s):

Elizabeth Wortley ◽

Ann Hagell

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Young People ◽

Youth Violence ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Physical Violence ◽

Rapid Review ◽

Youth Workers ◽

Access To Services ◽

The Uk ◽

Improve Access

There have been rising concerns in the UK about the levels of serious violence between young people, especially serious physical violence and knife crime. Interactions with young people in the emergency department (ED) at the time of injury provide an opportunity for screening and intervention in order to reduce the risk of repeat attendances. However, paediatricians and other healthcare workers can feel unsure about the best way to intervene. Embedding youth workers in EDs has started in some UK hospitals, making use of a potential ‘teachable moment’ in the immediate aftermath of an event to help change behaviour. Based on a rapid review of the literature, we summarise the evidence for these types of interventions and present two practice examples. Finally, we discuss how EDs could approach the embedding of youth workers within their department and considerations required for this.

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Compulsory vaccination policies: a systematic review about knowledge, attitudes and believes

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckz185.626 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽

Author(s):

G Voglino ◽

M R Gualano ◽

F Bert ◽

E Olivero ◽

M Corezzi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

General Population ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Hpv Vaccination ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Vaccination Programs ◽

Compulsory Vaccination ◽

Starting Point ◽

Coverage Rates ◽

Mandatory Vaccination ◽

Low Coverage

Abstract Background Vaccine hesitancy is a considerable issue in European Countries and leads to low coverage rates. Consequently, the implementation of national immunization programmes including the introduction of compulsory vaccination are required. It is interesting to determine citizens’ knowledge, attitudes and believes about vaccination policies, in order to more effectively define vaccination programs. Methods The present study systematically reviewed published studies evaluating attitudes towards mandatory vaccination programs. PubMed and Scopus scientific databases were searched and 4,198 results were returned, of these 29 met the inclusion criteria. PRISMA statements were followed. Results Twenty-two studies assessed attitudes towards mandatory vaccination programs in general, while 9 papers focused specifically on the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine. Most of the studies were performed in Europe and North America. According to the assessed studies, the majority of the population seems to be in favour of compulsory vaccinations, from 53% to 97% for different vaccination programs. More resistance has been recorded for the HPV vaccination: the percentage of agreement for mandatory HPV vaccinations ranged from 27% to 63.5%. Furthermore, some studies investigated healthcare workers’ attitudes towards childhood and adult vaccinations. They pointed out that the general population is generally more in favour of mandatory vaccination policies than healthcare workers. The studies highlighted that the support to mandatory policies increased after their implementations. Conclusions The results presented in this review could be an important starting point to further understand the issue of vaccine hesitancy and support the implementation of effective vaccination strategies in Europe. Key messages Mandatory vaccination policies are generally well accepted among general population. More resistance is recorded for specific vaccination (HPV) or among specific population (healthcare workers).

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Open Design and 3D Printing of Face Shields: The Case Study of a UK-China Initiative

Strategic Design Research Journal ◽

10.4013/sdrj.2020.133.17 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 511-524

Author(s):

Simeng Li ◽

Liang Hao ◽

Qiaoyu Chen ◽

Lu Zhang ◽

Ping Gong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

3D Printing ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Good Practice ◽

Analysis Method ◽

Study Approach ◽

Open Design ◽

Content Analysis Method ◽

3D Printed ◽

The Uk

At the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, many countries lacked personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect healthcare workers. To address this problem, open design and 3D printing technologies were adopted to provide much-in-need PPEs for key workers. This paper reports an initiative by designers and engineers in the UK and China. The case study approach and content analysis method were used to study the stakeholders, the design process, and other relevant issues such as regulation. Good practice and lessons were summarised, and suggestions for using distributed 3D printing to supply PPEs were made. It concludes that 3D printing has played an important role in producing PPEs when there was a shortage of supply, and distributed manufacturing has the potential to quickly respond to local small-bench production needs. In the future, clearer specification, better match of demands and supply, and quicker evaluation against relevant regulations will provide efficiency and quality assurance for 3D printed PPE supplies.

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