Continuing to Move the Needle on Health Care Personnel Influenza Vaccination Rates

Hilary M Babcock

doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.0144

Abstract

Continuing to Move the Needle on Health Care Personnel Influenza Vaccination Rates

Highlights

Greene et al[3] evaluate changes in the prevalence of facility mandates for health care personnel (HCP) influenza vaccination for the last 4 years
A limitation of studies on influenza vaccination of HCP is the lack of data on patient outcomes.[6]
There are many reasons that measuring relevant patient outcomes and clearly associating them with HCP influenza vaccination rates can be challenging, including variability in infection prevention practices, nonspecific symptoms in many inpatients owing to comorbidities, variability in influenza community prevalence and in vaccine effectiveness every year, short lengths of stay in the hospital

Summary

Introduction

Greene et al[3] evaluate changes in the prevalence of facility mandates for HCP influenza vaccination for the last 4 years. In the prior survey there was evidence of anticipated increased use of mandates, as 4% were discussing mandates, approximately 10% said they would have one season, and 21% endorsed having a declination policy (signed form and/or requirements for wearing masks). The survey question was worded somewhat differently in the 2013 survey, which could affect the answers provided, and vaccination rates were not reported.

Results

Conclusion