Factors to Increase Influenza Vaccination Acceptence and Coverage Rate Among Pediatricians

Abstract

BackgroundInfluenza is a highly infectious but preventable viral illness. Influenza vaccine remain the cornerstone of prevention, WHO encourages annual influenza vaccinations for all children and youth ≥ 6 months of age and those who have chronic illness at risk for the development of complications. Vaccinating pediatricians will reduce their risk of getting the flu and could potentially prevent illness in patients; their positive attitudes play a central role in educating parents and support decision-making to increase vaccine coverage in children's. Immunization schedule in Qatar matched the World Health Organization (WHO) recent recommendations and provide vaccination programs to public accordingly.Free vaccine campaign started at HMC, Qatar in 2006 for all health care providers in hospital. The influenza target was set at ≥ 70 % vaccination rates. Data from the infection control department shown that there is consistently low compliance with seasonal Influenza vaccine among all health care workers: in 2011, the rate was 37% compared with 68% in 2012.Although a safe and effective vaccine is available, there is little local data on percentage of vaccinated hospital based pediatricians and their attitudes toward seasonal flu vaccine.ObjectiveTo assess vaccination coverage rate, attitude and identify several factors to enhance seasonal influenza vaccine acceptance among pediatricians in QatarMethodscross sectional survey was conducted among pediatricians working at different locations in the pediatric department such as pediatrics inpatients ward, pediatric intensive care unit, neonatal intensive care unit and pediatrics emergency department at Hamad Medical Corporation the main tertiary teaching hospital in Qatar, The survey consisted of details demographics, attitudes, uptake of influenza vaccine in the current year and factors influencing vaccine acceptance. The study protocol and Questionnaire was reviewed and approved by the Medical Research Centre. Hamad Medical Corpo-ration, Doha, Qatar. All Statistical analyses were done using statistical packages SPSS 22.0 (SPSS Inc. Chicago, IL).ResultA total of 63 pediatricians from different department participated in this survey. Our study showed that percentages of participants who received sessional flu vaccination were (78%). Flu vaccination uptake was observed to be (58%) among physicians working in high-risk area such as PICU, NICU and Pediatrics Emergency compared to (42%) on inpatients ward. In order to promote immunization acceptance and coverage rate among pediatricians, use of evidence-based statement to support vaccine effectiveness ranked the highest (42%), followed by (23%) provides free on site vaccination, (20%) participating in multidisciplinary educational campaign and (10%) leadership support and being a role model, and lastly (5%) increase access to vaccine.ConclusionPersonal experience of seasonal influenza vaccination, Evidence base benefit of vaccine and its safety plays an important factor in physician's attitude towards immunization.Our finding showed that vaccine coverage among pediatricians working in a hospital setting close to the international target of 80% in healthcare facilities. Good compliance and high acceptance of influenza vaccination by pediatricians will positive impact on children immunization rate in Qatar. Our study described several practical intervention to enhance flu vaccine acceptance and achieve higher coverage rate.