scholarly journals Mandatory Influenza Vaccination for Healthcare Workers: Do Nurses Agree?

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghan Nightingale
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Vaccination ◽  
Rhode Island ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
High Risk Group ◽  
Hospital Policy ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Healthcare Work ◽  
Area Of Concern ◽  
Mandatory Vaccination ◽  
Study Participants

Influenza is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among hospitalized patients. Health care workers are considered a high-risk group for influenza, and annual vaccination is the most effective way to prevent getting influenza. Increasing concern about inadequate levels of healthcare work vaccination has led many groups to recommend mandatory vaccination for healthcare workers. The state of Rhode Island was considering mandatory vaccination in 2012 for all healthcare workers, with only medical exemption, but this movement was halted. Research focused on the perception of nursing personnel toward mandatory influenza vaccination is lacking, and considering that registered nurses are one of the largest healthcare groups that would be affected, this is an area of concern. The purpose of this research study was to examine the perception of nursing staff toward mandated vaccination at a hospital in Rhode Island. The survey used a mixed methods design, including forced choice questions and an open-ended question, developed for purposes of this research. The study participants included RNs employed in inpatient units. Most of the nurses disagreed that healthcare workers should be mandated to get immunization and disagreed that a vaccine policy requiring mandatory vaccination was fair. They also disagreed that hospital policy requiring influenza vaccination keeps them from getting influenza or keeps their patients from getting influenza. In one of the first states considering mandatory vaccination statewide, these results are an important consideration before implementation of this potential measure.

scholarly journals Characteristics of Healthcare Workers Vaccinated against Influenza in the Era of COVID-19

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 695
Author(s):  
Giorgia Della Polla ◽  
Francesca Licata ◽  
Silvia Angelillo ◽  
Concetta Paola Pelullo ◽  
Aida Bianco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Influenza Vaccination ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Seasonal Influenza ◽  
High Risk Group ◽  
High Coverage ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Current Season ◽  
Study Results

Understanding the potential impact of COVID-19 on receiving influenza vaccination among healthcare workers (HCWs) is of utmost importance. The purposes of the present cross-sectional study were to describe the characteristics and to explore the predictors of receiving influenza vaccination among a large cohort of Italian HCWs in hospital settings. Information was collected through an anonymous questionnaire from December 2020 through January 2021. General and practice characteristics, perceived risk of seasonal influenza, attitudes towards efficacy and safety of influenza vaccination, and reasons behind the decision to be vaccinated against influenza were explored. Fewer than half (46.2%) of HCWs agreed that influenza is a serious illness and perceived the risk of getting infected with influenza, and concerns about the safety of the vaccination were significant positive predictors. Fewer than half of the respondents were not concerned at all about the efficacy (48.6%) and safety (49.8%) of influenza vaccination, and 51.9% reported that they have not received a seasonal influenza vaccine during the previous season. The most mentioned reason for receiving the influenza vaccine in the current season was that influenza and COVID-19 share some similar symptoms. Study results will aid policymakers in developing vaccination education programs, promotion of trust to address negative misconceptions, and to achieve future high coverage among this high-risk group.

Should influenza vaccination be mandatory for healthcare workers?

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 214-217 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals The Impact of Rhode Island's Mandatory Health Care Worker Influenza Vaccination Regulation on Influenza Incidence in Long-Term Care Facility Residents

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Chicoine
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Influenza Vaccination ◽  
Rhode Island ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
The Impact

Seasonal influenza is a serious public health problem that contributes to significant morbidity and mortality locally, nationally, and globally. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that influenza has caused between 9.2 million and 60.8 million illnesses, between 140,000 and 710,000 hospitalizations, and between 12,000 and 56,000 deaths annually since 2010, and approximately 80- 90 percent of influenza related deaths occurred in people 65 years and older. In 2012, prompted by the mounting\ evidence of the risk of nosocomial influenza infection for patients and low influenza vaccination rates of health care workers, the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) amended its Rules and Regulations for Immunization and Testing for Healthcare Workers. This amendment included mandatory influenza vaccinations for all health care workers, students, volunteers, and trainees who have direct patient contact within a health care facility. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the regulation of mandating influenza vaccination for health care workers in Rhode Island on influenza incidence, hospitalizations, and deaths of residents of long-term care facilities (LTCF). Surveillance data for influenza incidence, hospitalizations, and deaths among residents of LTCF pre and post the policy implementation are analyzed and results presented. Policy and practice implications for public health nursing are discussed.

scholarly journals Increasing influenza vaccination coverage in healthcare workers: a review on campaign strategies and their effect

Infection ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofie Schumacher ◽  
Jon Salmanton-García ◽  
Oliver A. Cornely ◽  
Sibylle C. Mellinghoff
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Vaccination ◽  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Relative Increase ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Campaign Strategies ◽  
Mandatory Vaccination ◽  
Vaccination Campaigns ◽  
Key Interventions

Abstract Purpose Increasing influenza vaccination coverage in healthcare workers is a challenge. Especially during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, high vaccination coverage should be attained. This review analyzed strategies to increase influenza vaccination coverage in healthcare workers. Methods A literature search using PubMed was conducted and 32 publications on influenza vaccination campaigns for healthcare workers were reviewed for key interventions and resulting vaccination coverage. Results Among key interventions analyzed, mandatory vaccination policies or multifaceted campaigns including a vaccinate-or-wear-a-mask policy as well as mandatory declination reached vaccination coverage in healthcare workers of over 90%. Although campaigns solely based on education and promotion or on-site-vaccination did not regularly exceed an absolute vaccination coverage of 40%, a substantial relative increase in vaccination coverage was reached by implementation of these strategies. Conclusion Mandatory vaccination policies are effective measures to achieve high overall vaccination coverage. In clinics where policies are infeasible, multifaceted campaigns comprising on-site vaccination, vaccination stands and educational and promotional campaigns as well as incentives should be implemented. Lessons learned from influenza campaigns could be implemented in future SARS-CoV-2 vaccination campaigns.

scholarly journals Influenza vaccination coverage among emergency department personnel is associated with perception of vaccination and side effects, vaccination availability on site and the COVID-19 pandemic

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. e0260213
Author(s):  
Anna-Maria Stöckeler ◽  
Philipp Schuster ◽  
Markus Zimmermann ◽  
Frank Hanses
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Influenza Vaccination ◽  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Influenza Pandemic ◽  
Vaccination Rate ◽  
Assessment And Evaluation ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Mandatory Vaccination

Introduction Influenza is a major concern in hospitals, including the emergency department (ED), mainly because of a high risk for ED personnel to acquire and transmit the disease. Although influenza vaccination is recommended for health care workers, vaccination coverage is low. Methods This survey was conducted in the 2016/2017 and 2020/2021 influenza seasons. Questionnaires were sent to ED personnel in 12 hospitals in Bavaria, South-Eastern Germany. The response rates were 62% and 38% in 2016/2017 and 2020/2021, respectively. Data were compared between the two seasons as well as between vaccinated and not vaccinated respondents in 2020/2021. Results Significantly more ED personnel reported having been vaccinated in the 2020/2021 season. Factors associated with vaccination coverage (or the intention to get vaccinated) were profession (physician / medical student), having been vaccinated at least twice, the availability of an influenza vaccination on site (in the ED) as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, significant differences in the assessment and evaluation of influenza, its vaccination side effects and ethical aspects were found between vaccinated and not vaccinated ED personnel in 2020/2021. Unvaccinated respondents estimated higher frequencies of almost all potential vaccination side effects, were less likely to accept lay-offs if employees would not come to work during an influenza pandemic and more likely to agree that work attendance should be an employee´s decision. Vaccinated participants instead, rather agreed that vaccination should be mandatory and were less likely to consider job changes in case of a mandatory vaccination policy. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic might have contributed to a higher influenza vaccination rate among ED workers. Vaccination on site and interventions targeting the perception of influenza vaccination and its side effects may be most promising to increase the vaccination coverage among ED personnel.

scholarly journals A Time Off Incentive Was Not Associated with Influenza Vaccination Acceptance among Healthcare Workers

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Saima Cheema ◽  
Christopher Vinnard ◽  
Sarah Foster-Chang ◽  
Darren R. Linkin
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Vaccination ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Vaccination Rate ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Vaccination Rates ◽  
Vaccination Acceptance ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
Mandatory Vaccination ◽  
Relationship Of

Objectives. The national influenza vaccination rate among healthcare workers (HCWs) remains low despite clear benefits to patients, coworkers, and families. We sought to evaluate formally the effect of a one-hour time off incentive on attitudes towards influenza vaccination during the 2011-2012 influenza season. Methods. All HCWs at the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center were invited to complete an anonymous web-based survey. We described respondents’ characteristics and attitudes toward influenza vaccination and determined the relationship of specific attitudes with respondents’ acceptance of influenza vaccination, using a 5-point Likert scale. Results. We analyzed survey responses from 154 HCWs employed at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center, with a response rate of 8%. Among 121 respondents who reported receiving influenza vaccination, 34 (28%, 95% CI 20–37%) reported agreement with the statement that the time off incentive made a difference in their decision to accept influenza vaccination. Conclusions. Our study provides evidence that modest incentives such as one-hour paid time off will be unlikely to promote influenza vaccination rates within medical facilities. More potent interventions that include mandatory vaccination combined with penalties for noncompliance will likely provide the only means to achieve near-universal influenza vaccination among HCWs.

scholarly journals Experience of Primary Health Care Workers’ Involvement in Response to Arasbaran Twin Earthquakes in 2012

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-90
Author(s):  
Javad Babaie ◽  
◽  
Masoumeh Golizadeh ◽  
Leila Doshmangir ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Health Response ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Interview Analysis

Background: One of the most important concerns after disasters is managing their health consequences. This study examines the experiences of Primary Healthcare Workers (PHCWs) who involved in managing the health effects of the Arasbaran twin earthquakes of August 2012.  Materials and Methods: This study was conducted using a qualitative approach. Data were collected through semi-structured deep interviews. The collected data were analyzed by content analysis using the code extraction of subthemes and themes. Study participants included health managers, healthcare workers, and individuals who received the health services in response to the health effects of the Arasbaran twin earthquakes. A total number of 16 participants were interviewed. The study sample was selected purposefully. Results: Interview analysis provided 14 subthemes and five main themes, including the lack of preparedness, the challenges of the PHCWs’ contributions in providing healthcare, the inessentiality of the PHCWs’ involvement in health response, the continuity of healthcare by the PHCWs, and the facilitation of coordination.  Conclusion: The involvement of the PHCWs in managing the health effects of the earthquakes was a successful experience that could prevent health problems. Challenges faced during this experience were mainly caused by the lack of preparedness. 

scholarly journals The COVID States Project #62: COVID-19 vaccine attitudes among healthcare workers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Lazer ◽  
Hong Qu ◽  
Katherine Ognyanova ◽  
Matthew Baum ◽  
Roy H. Perlis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Vaccination Campaign ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Vaccination Rate ◽  
Department Of Veterans Affairs ◽  
Vaccination Rates ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Hospital Systems ◽  
Mandatory Vaccination

The vaccination status of healthcare workers is of particular importance, for two key reasons:First, healthcare workers have been a harbinger of trends among the broader population through the entire vaccination campaign, as they were among the first to gain access to vaccines. The early inequalities in terms of access among healthcare workers were predictive of inequalities within the broader population. The divides in terms of vaccine skepticism presaged those of the broader population; and, as we will see below, the plateauing of vaccination rates anticipated the slowdown in vaccinations within the broader population.Second, the vaccine decisions of healthcare workers have particular ramifications with respect to the spread of COVID-19, and, especially, with respect to morbidity and mortality resulting from COVID-19. In particular, unvaccinated healthcare workers are potentially a vector of infection of the elderly and the vulnerable, who have been vastly more likely to die of the disease.A recent outbreak in a nursing home in Kentucky is illustrative. Despite the fact that over 90% of the residents had been fully vaccinated, only 53% of the healthcare workers had been. In a subsequent outbreak, 31% of residents were infected (more than two third of whom had been vaccinated); and 33% of healthcare workers (20% of whom had been vaccinated). Two residents died as a result. In short, the low vaccination rate of the healthcare workers supplied the kindling for the outbreak. The question going forward is to what extent might this occur in other healthcare settings around the country.Healthcare institutions thus face critical decisions regarding the vaccination of their employees. In late July, the Department of Veterans Affairs issued a vaccine mandate for all its frontline health care workers. A joint statement by nearly 60 major medical organizations called for mandatory vaccination of healthcare workers. Brown University's School of Public Health built a Hospital Vaccine Mandate Tracker to gather and list hospital systems that require their staff to be vaccinated. Many more institutions have announced that they will issue mandates once vaccines are formally approved by the U.S. FDA.

Influenza vaccination of healthcare workers in Italy: could mandatory vaccination be a solution to protect patients?

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (9s) ◽  
pp. 45-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudio Costantino ◽  
Vincenzo Restivo ◽  
Fabio Tramuto ◽  
Alessandra Casuccio ◽  
Francesco Vitale
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Vaccination ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Mandatory Vaccination

scholarly journals Nurse Perceptions of Influenza Vaccination

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leslie Brown
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Influenza Vaccination ◽  
Registered Nurses ◽  
Rhode Island ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Vaccination Rates ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Considerable Morbidity ◽  
Influenza Vaccinations

<p>The purpose of this research study was to determine the perceptions of influenza vaccine of registered nurses who decline the annual influenza vaccination. Influenza is a serious public health issue because it is a highly contagious virus that is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. The topic of making annual influenza vaccinations mandatory for health care workers remains controversial. A comprehensive review of the literature surrounding influenza vaccinations was explored and discussed. The data for this study was obtained via anonymous voluntary surveys with one open-ended and 14 closed-ended questions. A mixed method design was used to analyze the voluntary responses from acute and critical care registered nurses employed at Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children’s Hospital who declined the influenza vaccination during the 2013-2014 influenza season. The results were examined and disseminated to provide insight and possibly modify future educational campaigns to promote increased annual influenza vaccination rates among registered nurses and health care workers overall. APRNs have the opportunity to serve as leaders by advocating for annual vaccinations, providing evidence based education, and supporting policy changes to positively impact patient outcomes, institutions, communities, and overall population health.</p>

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