Influenza vaccination 2014–2015: Results of a survey conducted among general practitioners in Italy

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to evaluate orientation, organizational procedures implemented and difficulties faced by general practitioners (GPs) during the 2014/15 seasonal influenza vaccination programme, as well as GPs' general attitude towards vaccinations.Methods: An ad hoc online survey was developed and administered to general practitioners members of the Italian Federation of GPs (Federazione Italiana Medici di Medicina Generale – FIMMG). Overall, 10,000 survey invitations were sent. Data were analysed with R 3.3.2 software for analyses. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated in univariable and multivariable analyses.Results: A sample of 1,245 GPs participated in the survey. Only slightly more than one third achieved a vaccination coverage comprised between 61% and 75%. In over half of the cases, the local health unit does not allow the GPs to choose the type of vaccine; 8.8% did not receive operational information at the beginning of the vaccination campaign and almost half did not receive feedback information at the end of the campaign. Almost three quarters reported that the vaccination uptake should increase. One tenth of GPs totally disagreed with the statement that vaccinating healthcare workers is crucial to prevent and control infections, and one fifth had not been vaccinated in the prior decade.Discussion: The efforts made to vaccinate elderly individuals did not reach the expected results; still many GPs complained about lack of information by the relevant public health institutions and organizational difficulties. A stronger commitment of public health authorities would entail a higher vaccination uptake.

Attitudes and Beliefs on Influenza Vaccination during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results from a Representative Italian Survey

“…A better understanding of the role of HCPs for alleviating asymmetric information among high-risk patients like the elderly, is important for the design of future health policy interventions and increasing vaccination coverage rates [ 42 ]. However, two Italian surveys regarding influenza seasons 2014/15 [ 43 ] and 2017/18 [ 39 ] found that only half of GPs had the possibility of choosing from among the available vaccine types. It has also been suggested [ 39 ] that the availability of explicit guidelines on the appropriateness of the use of individual influenza vaccine types could increase vaccine uptake in Italy.…”

Infection prevention and control measures in practices of the Swiss sentinel network during seasonal influenza epidemics

“…The influenza vaccination coverage among primary care (PC) staff was lower than the usual 75% coverage recommended by WHO [ 20 , 21 ]. Nevertheless, it was still higher than most rates found in the health sector around the world [ 20 ].…”

“…Even if vaccine effectiveness is difficult to assess, vaccination is still one of the only proven prevention methods against influenza [ 18 , 19 ], leading to a lower rate of influenza infection in vaccinated HCW [ 9 ]. A study in 2016 showed that the vaccination rate among HCW was highly variable and as low as around 40% in Europe, compared to 77% in USA [ 20 ], while a recent Italian study found a vaccination rate of 30% among primary care physicians [ 21 ]. In Switzerland, that rate was estimated around 16% for the years 2012 and 2017 [ 22 ].…”

“…A study in 2016 showed that the vaccination rate among HCWs was highly variable, and as low as approximately 40% in Europe compared with 77% in the USA [20]. A recent Italian study found a vaccination rate of 30% among PCPs [21]. In Switzerland, that rate was estimated to be approximately 16% for 2012 and 2017 [22].…”

Influenza vaccination in Italy: current scenarioand critical issues

“…Actually, the 2018/2019 season seems to show a turnaround, with a growing percentage of people requiring to be vaccinated and a projected increase in vaccination coverage [10]. The increased demand could help improve vaccination coverage, although it remains important to also strengthen the commitment of public health authorities [11] and access to vaccination.…”