Introduction: Both medical and non-medical employees of health-care facilities can introduce influenza into institutions, yet only 10-60% of employees are vaccinated each year. To assess the influenza vaccination rate and identify barriers limiting employee vaccination, personnel at seven Maryland health-care facilities were surveyed. Methods: The infection control practitioner at each facility distributed a brief self-administered questionnaire to all employees. Included were questions about influenza vaccination status, job category, and reasons for not getting vaccinated. Results: Overall, 57% of employees surveyed returned completed questionnaires. Influenza vaccine coverage among respondents was 70% for the 1999/2000 influenza season. Personnel directly involved in patient care were no more likely to have been vaccinated than other facility employees (RR=0.94, 95%CI=0.85-1.04, p>0.2). Of those employees who were not vaccinated, 32% indicated that they were afraid the vaccine would cause influenza and 28% thought themselves unlikely to acquire influenza. Although only 2% of respondents indicated that an out-of-pocket charge for the vaccine contributed to their decision against influenza vaccination, employees of facilities that charged for the vaccine were significantly less likely to have been vaccinated (RR=1.3, 95%CI=1.1-1.5, p<0.0001). Conclusions: In this particular cohort, influenza vaccination coverage was high and employees involved in patient care were no more likely to receive the influenza vaccine than non-patient care employees. In order to improve influenza vaccine coverage among personnel, facilities should educate staff about vaccine safety and the importance of vaccination. Even the nominal cost of the vaccine may be a barrier against influenza vaccination for some employees.
Learning Objectives: 1. Assess influenza vaccination rate among employees at 7 Maryland health care facilities. 2. Identify reasons why employees chose not to receive the influenza vaccine. 3. Examine whether direct involvement in patient care is a predictor for influenza vaccination. 4. Discuss steps to take to increase the influenza vaccination rate in subsequent influenza seasons at health care facilities
Keywords: Immunizations, Health Care Workers
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.