Impact of an influenza vaccine educational programme on healthcare personnel

Abstract

Influenza vaccination has been shown to be the most effective preventive strategy to reduce influenza-related morbidity and mortality in high-risk groups. Despite healthcare personnel (HCP) being considered part of such high-risk groups, their vaccination coverage is low in Europe. In January 2012, we distributed an 18-question survey regarding influenza vaccination to HCP at Gregorio Marañon Paediatric Hospital, in Madrid, Spain. After we documented that only ~30% of HCP were vaccinated an educational programme was implemented in October 2012 before the next influenza season. In January 2013, the same survey delivered again to all HCP documented a significant increase in vaccination rates (from 30% to 40%, P = 0·007) mainly among physicians and for patients' protection. In summary we found that a simple and inexpensive educational programme significantly improved the uptake of influenza vaccination in HCP in our centre. Nevertheless, vaccination rates remained low, and broader and updated campaigns are needed to overcome perception barriers.

Impact of Communicative and Informative Strategies Tailored for Health Care Workers to Increase Influenza Vaccination Compliance in the Major Sicilian University Hospital

“…Furthermore, the majority of HCWs adherent to influenza vaccination are medical doctor or medical residents regardless of health professionals. This data is consistent with other experience that demonstrated the impact of educational program on influenza vaccination adherence increase particularly among physicians [34] .…”

“…In particular, among HCWs of the UH of Palermo, the main reasons for influenza vaccination refusal were, according with literature data, focused on personal issues of HCWs (fear of adverse reaction, misperception of risk to had influenza) rather than considered the effectiveness of influenza vaccination for patients protection [13,33,34].…”

Impact of Communicative and Informative Strategies on Influenza Vaccination Adherence and Absenteeism from Work of Health Care Professionals Working at the University Hospital of Palermo, Italy: A Quasi-Experimental Field Trial on Twelve Influenza Seasons

“…In particular, among HCWs of the UH of Palermo, the main reasons for influenza vaccination refusal in previous years were principally focused on personal issues of HCWs (fear of adverse reaction, misperception of risk to contract influenza), rather than considering the effectiveness of influenza vaccination for patients protection [40,41]. Institutional informative and communicative strategies at the UH of Palermo contributed to an increase in vaccination coverage [42,43]. Only with an integration with tailored informative and communicative strategies and better university training, false perceptions on influenza vaccination could be modified over time among HCWs.…”

Life-course immunization as a gateway to health

“…To help achieve higher vaccination coverage among HCPs, workplace strategies such as vaccination requirements or promotion of free on-site vaccinations may be needed [99]. Campaigns aimed at educating HCPs about the benefits of vaccination for themselves, with an emphasis on patient protection as a fundamental responsibility, could help overcome HCP hesitancy [127]. Groups of HCPs not previously involved in this discussion, such as medical or nursing students, should also be targeted because vaccinology is still not a main course in many education programs.…”