Improving Neglected Influenza Vaccination Among Healthcare Workers in Long‐Term Care

Abstract

Organized institutional efforts to promote immunization among health-care workers, such as a Vaccination Fair, improves compliance among health-care workers.

Influenza immunization rates, knowledge, attitudes and practices of health care workers in Iran

“…In the study of Blank et al [23], the belief that influenza is a serious illness and recommendation by a family physician were the principal reasons for immunization. In other studies a considerable proportion of the respondents claimed that were immunized because they considered it their responsibility to protect their patients a [13,29].…”

“…Strategies for the control of influenza have included immunization of individuals at high risk for complications from the illness, their close contacts, and the health care workers (HCWs) who care for them [12,13]. Implicated in the transmission of influenza to other HCWs and to patients during outbreaks in acute care or long-term care facilities, HCWs are an important reservoir of infection [14].…”

Influenza vaccine coverage for healthcare workers in geriatric settings in France

“…This has already been showed in many different wards (17,19,27) including long-term care settings (15,23). The lack of knowledge of nursing staff may be a reason for declining vaccination, which is not a reason found in physician groups (17); no data in the present study can confirm it.…”

“…Despite national and international recommendations to vaccinate HCW against influenza, several even recent studies report low vaccination rates among HCW (12,(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21). Studies on HCW influenza vaccination in geriatric healthcare settings are of great interest, because the elderly population, especially those living in long-term care, has both the highest severity of the disease and the worst immune response to the vaccine.…”

Health hazard evaluation report: knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding influenza vaccination among employees at child care centers - Ohio.

“…Other studies have also shown that offering free vaccines to healthcare personnel leads to higher coverage rates [Ohrt and McKinney 1992;Thomas et al 1993;Nafziger and Herwaldt 1994;Nichol and Hauge 1997;Hall et al 1998;Martinello et al 2003]. …”