Strategies to Increase Flu Vaccination Coverage among Healthcare Workers: A 4 Years Study in a Large Italian Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Flu vaccination is recommended among healthcare workers (HCWs). The low vaccination coverage registered in our hospital among HCWs called for new engaging approaches to improve flu vaccination coverage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of different strategies implemented during the last four years (2015–2019). A quasi-experimental study was conducted, involving almost 4000 HCWs each year. Starting from the 2015–2016 campaign, new evidence-based strategies were progressively implemented. At the end of each campaign, an evaluation of the vaccination coverage rate reached was performed. Moreover, during the last three campaigns, differences in coverage among job category, wards involved or not in on-site vaccination (OSV) intervention, age classes and gender were analyzed. An increasing flu vaccination coverage rate was registered, from 6% in 2015–2016 to almost 22% at the end of 2018–2019. The overall number of vaccinated HCWs increased, especially at younger ages. OSV strategy always leads to better results, and physicians always show a higher vaccination coverage than nurses and other HCWs. The implemented strategies were effective in achieving higher flu vaccination coverage among HCWs in our hospital and therefore can be considered valuable examples of good prevention practices in hospital settings.

Evaluation of Flu Vaccination Coverage among Healthcare Workers during a 3 Years’ Study Period and Attitude towards Influenza and Potential COVID-19 Vaccination in the Context of the Pandemic

“…Only for the 2018/19 flu campaign, males had a higher likelihood of being vaccinated when compared to females, as reported in other studies. However, no significant differences were registered during the following two seasons, in line with our survey results on vaccine attitude, but in contrast with literature evidence [ 21 , 22 ].…”

“…Among the identified job categories, physicians were the professionals most willing to get vaccinated, consistent with other studies conducted in Europe and Italy [ 21 , 22 ]. These findings were corroborated by the survey, with physicians showing higher attitude scores in comparison with nurses, other HCWs and administrative staff, consistent with the literature evidence [ 23 ].…”

Influenza Vaccination Strategies in Healthcare Workers: A Cohort Study (2018–2021) in an Italian University Hospital

“…Influenza vaccination among HCWs has been an intensely investigated topic in Italy in recent years, in particular with the aim to evaluate the campaigns’ effectiveness in increasing vaccination coverage [ 45 , 46 , 47 ]. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the effectiveness of these measures has become particularly important as the influenza vaccine is useful to distinguish between symptoms of influenza and those related to COVID-19 and enables the prevention of outbreaks in hospitals and disruption of health services due to HCWs requiring sick leave [ 48 , 49 , 50 ].…”

Is COVID-19 a Real Incentive for Flu Vaccination? Let the Numbers Speak for Themselves

“…Seasonal flu vaccination is one of the most important strategies for preventing influenza and reducing its healthcare, social, and economic impact [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Although influenza’s disease burden varies from year to year, evidence clearly shows that vaccination can reduce flu severity and prevent hospitalizations—critical considerations at a time when the health care system is burdened by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) [ 6 ].…”