2009–2010 seasonal and pandemic A (H1N1) influenza vaccination among healthcare workers

Abstract

Influenza vaccination recommendations are traditionally met with low compliance by healthcare workers (HCWs). The aim of this study is to analyze influenza vaccination among HCWs following a vaccination strategy characterized by an increased effort to maximize the hospital vaccination rate. For this, 2009–2010 seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccination rates among 2739 HCWs at a tertiary university hospital were evaluated. The seasonal influenza vaccination rate was 26.7% (48.3% increase vs. 2008–2009, p=0.0000), and 14.8% in the case of pandemic influenza. HCWs with direct patient contact showed similar seasonal (25.7%) and pandemic (15.4%) influenza vaccination rates compared to the overall rates. Physician vaccination displayed the highest rate, showing significant differences vs. total rate (38.3%, p=0.0007 for seasonal, and 32.2%, p=0.0000 for pandemic influenza). The areas in which the vaccination strategy was most active reflected a significant increase (32.6%, p=0.0056 for seasonal, and 25.2%, p=0.0000 for pandemic influenza). It therefore appears that more active campaigns might increase influenza vaccination among HCWs.