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

Abstract

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.

Protecting Healthcare Personnel in Outpatient Settings: The Influence of Mandatory Versus Nonmandatory Influenza Vaccination Policies on Workplace Absenteeism During Multiple Respiratory Virus Seasons

“…5,29,30,31 However, HCP acceptance of voluntary vaccination continues to be problematic. 32 Vaccination of HCP has previously been advocated as an effective means to control the spread of influenza and prevent absenteeism. [33][34][35] Absenteeism poses a threat to hospital effectiveness during influenza outbreaks when increased patient volume creates greater demands.…”

“…Mandatory vaccination policies substantially increase rates of HCP vaccination 5 29 , 30 , 31 However, HCP acceptance of voluntary vaccination continues to be problematic 32 …”

Paid sick leave benefits, influenza vaccination, and taking sick days due to influenza-like illness among U.S. workers

“…The effectiveness of different kinds of PSL on increasing influenza vaccination coverage may be varied. One study found that modest incentives such as one-hour PTO did not improve the influenza vaccination rate among healthcare workers [19]. Another study concluded that universal PSL, which is more comparable to the PSL in the NHFS survey, resulted in greater than 40% higher odds of receiving seasonal influenza vaccination [18].…”

“…Few studies have examined the association between PSL and influenza vaccination uptake among U.S. workers. One study found that one-hour paid time off (PTO) did not improve the influenza vaccination rate among healthcare workers, while another study concluded that universal PSL resulted in a 42% higher odds of receiving seasonal influenza vaccination [19].…”

Use of financial incentives to increase adult vaccination coverage: A narrative review of lessons learned from COVID-19 and other adult vaccination efforts

“…We identified a total of 26 articles that discussed incentives and vaccination, including vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 (12 studies) [22] , [23] , [24] , [25] , [26] , [27] , [28] , [29] , [30] , [31] , [32] , [33] , hepatitis B (2 studies) [34] , [35] , HPV (2) [36] , [3] , maternal tetanus (3) [38] , [39] , [40] , influenza (5) [41] , [42] , [43] , adult tetanus, pneumococcus, and influenza (1) [46] , and a mix of different vaccinations (1) [47] . Target groups, if specified, included adolescents (2), students (2), elderly (2), health and social care workers (2), people with substance misuse disorders (1), and people who inject drugs (2).…”