Mandatory flu vaccination for healthcare workers 'difficult', MPs told

Abstract Background Influenza vaccination uptake by Irish healthcare workers remains sub-optimal despite local initiatives to increase it. Aims To investigate hospital workers' attitudes to influenza vaccination and how this influenced their decisions about vaccination. Methods A questionnaire survey of Irish hospital workers, measuring uptake of and attitudes to influenza vaccination. Results There were 747 responders, of whom 361 (48%) reported having received influenza vaccination. Attitudes predicting vaccination uptake included a belief that vaccination would protect family members (P < 0.0005, CI 1.191–1.739), a perception of susceptibility to ’flu (P < 0.0005, CI 1.182–1.685), a belief that all healthcare workers should be vaccinated (P < 0.005, CI 1.153–1.783), perceived ease of getting ’flu vaccination at work (P < 0.0005, CI 1.851–2.842) and encouragement by line managers (P < 0.05, CI 1.018–1.400). Attitudes negatively associated with vaccination uptake included fear of needles (P < 0.05, CI 0.663–0.985) and a belief that vaccination would cause illness (P < 0.0005, CI 0.436–0.647). Medical staff were significantly more likely to be vaccinated. Healthcare students were least likely to be vaccinated (P < 0.0005). Conclusion Addressing specific barriers to influenza vaccination in healthcare workers may improve uptake.

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

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckz185.630 ◽

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.

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Adherence, Perception of, and Attitude toward Influenza and Flu Vaccination: A Cross-Sectional Study among a Population of Future Healthcare Workers

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph182413086 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (24) ◽

pp. 13086

Author(s):

Emanuele Chittano Congedo ◽

Maria Emilia Paladino ◽

Michele Augusto Riva ◽

Michael Belingheri

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Vaccine Uptake ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Flu Vaccination ◽

Seasonal Flu ◽

Vaccination Campaigns ◽

Self Protection

Healthcare students (HCSs) represent a target category for seasonal flu vaccination. This study aimed to examine adherence to flu vaccination campaigns from 2016 to 2019 among HCSs and to investigate knowledge and perception of and attitude toward influenza and flu vaccination. This cross-sectional study was conducted among the HCSs of a northern Italian university. Data on adherence, knowledge, perception, and attitude were investigated through an anonymous online self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was filled out by 352 out of 392 third-year HCSs (response rate = 90%). The main reason for refusal was the perception of influenza as non-threatening (24.4%), while self-protection was the main reason for adherence (87.5%). A univariate logistic regression analysis revealed some statistically significant associations with the adherence to the 2018–2019 campaign: being a nursing/midwifery student (OR: 4.14; 95% CI: 1.77–9.71) and agreeing with (OR: 19.28; 95% CI: 2.47–146.85) or being undecided (OR: 10.81; 95% CI: 1.33–88.27) about the obligation of vaccination in health facilities. The associations were also evaluated with a multiple logistic regression model. Despite the low vaccine uptake, good knowledge of the risks for HCSs and patients related to flu has emerged. Improving promotion strategies will be necessary to increase the adhesion of future healthcare workers.

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

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.1407 ◽

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.

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A new strategy to promote flu vaccination among healthcare workers: “Molinette” hospital’s experience

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/cky218.126 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 28 (suppl_4) ◽

Author(s):

R Thomas ◽

F Bert ◽

A Scarmozzino ◽

M Coggiola ◽

E Olivero ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Flu Vaccination ◽

New Strategy

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The seasonal flu vaccination and uptake among healthcare workers

British Journal of Nursing ◽

10.12968/bjon.2017.26.3.180 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 26 (3) ◽

pp. 180-181 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Alan Glasper

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Flu Vaccination ◽

Seasonal Flu

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Association between seasonal flu vaccination and COVID-19 among healthcare workers

Occupational Medicine ◽

10.1093/occmed/kqaa197 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 70 (9) ◽

pp. 665-671

Author(s):

M Belingheri ◽

M E Paladino ◽

R Latocca ◽

G De Vito ◽

M A Riva

Keyword(s):

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Severe Illness ◽

Positive Serology ◽

Large Hospital ◽

Flu Vaccination ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Seasonal Flu ◽

Considerable Morbidity ◽

Positive Results

Abstract Background In next fall and winter, SARS-CoV-2 could circulate in parallel with seasonal influenza. The dual epidemics will result in considerable morbidity and mortality; therefore, influenza vaccination may be essential. Recent studies found increased risk of coronavirus in individuals receiving influenza vaccination. Aims Our aim is to analyse the association between influenza vaccination and COVID-19 in a population of healthcare workers (HCWs). Methods IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were detected in 3520 HCWs at a large hospital in Northern Italy. For each participant, we collected data on flu immunization status for the last five flu seasons. Logistic regression was used to test associations between seasonal flu vaccination status and a positive serology tests for COVID-19. Results During the last five flu seasons, 2492 vaccinations were administered. Serology tests were negative for 3196 (91%) HCWs and residents and only 21 (1%) people had an equivocal test (12.0–15.0 AU/mL). Only 128 (4%) people received a diagnosis of COVID-19, with a positive swab test. No flu vaccinations for the last five flu seasons were specifically associated with diagnosis of COVID-19 or with positive results of serology tests. Conclusions Flu vaccinations did not appear to be associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Influenza vaccination should continue to be recommended for HCWs and for individuals at increased risk for severe illness from respiratory infection.

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