The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #39833

Leslie D. Edwards, MHS¹, Elizabeth Boyer¹, Laura Ann Novelli², Nora Chen², Brenda Roup, PhD, RN, CIC¹, Elizabeth Begier, MD, MPH³, and David Blythe, MD, MPH¹. (1) Epidemiology and Disease Control Program, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 201 West Preston Street, Room 326, Baltimore, MD 21201, (410) 767-5776, ledwards@dhmh.state.md.us, (2) Epidemiology Department, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 601 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, (3) Division of Preventive Medicine, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 601 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205

Introduction: Influenza causes substantial morbidity and mortality, particularly among the elderly and immunocompromised. Health Care Workers (HCWs), including those who work at treatment and residential facilities, are encouraged to receive an annual influenza vaccination to decrease their risk of transmitting influenza to patients. We surveyed employees at Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene residential and treatment facilities to assess the vaccination rate and determine factors that influenced HCWs' vaccination. Methods: The Infection Control Practitioners at 9 of 17 State facilities distributed surveys to their employees. Participants were asked questions about influenza vaccination, job type, and education level. Results: During the 2000-2001 influenza season, 756 (40%) questionnaires were completed and returned. Only 59% of respondents reported being vaccinated against influenza (81% at work.) The likelihood of being vaccinated varied by occupation: 69% of administrative employees surveyed were vaccinated (RR=1.26, p<0.01) while only 55% of employees involved in direct patient care (RR=0.89, p=0.05) received the immunization. Of those employees who work in patient care, physicians had the highest rate of vaccination (81%), followed by nurses (57%), and nurses' aides (54%). Vaccination rates varied with highest level of education completed as follows: high school (60%), associates (52%), bachelors (58%), masters (74%), and doctoral degree (76%). Conclusions: Vaccination rates for HCWs in Maryland DHMH facilities remain low; this may contribute to the transmission of influenza to patients. All efforts should be made to encourage HCWs, particularly nurses and nurse's aides, to receive a yearly influenza vaccination.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the influenza vaccination rate at Maryland state facilities for the 2000-2001 influenza season.
• Evaluate the effect of education level on influenza vaccination rates.
• Analyze the influenza vaccination rates among employees who work in patient care, administrative jobs, and other positions at state health care facilities.

Keywords: Immunizations, Health Care Workers

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.