Influenza Vaccination Campaign in Military Hospitals: The Example of Najran Armed Forces Hospital: Attitudes and Uptake of Medical and Para Medical Staff

Abstract

Background: Because of their working environment, healthcare professionals (HCPs) are known to be at risk of contracting influenza virus from their patients and at the same time, act as a source of transmission to patients under their care. Successful Flu vaccination campaign among Health Care Workers can contribute to a large herd immunity in hospitals. Objective: This study was conducted to assess HCPs’ attitudes towards influenza vaccination as well as the main predictors for not getting vaccinated. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among HCPs practicing at Najran Armed Forces Hospital during flu vaccination campaign (2018-2019). The target population was composed of medical and para medical staff. Self administered pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect information about health workers’ attitudes towards flu vaccine. Results: Our study showed that 74% of the studied population were vaccinated during the last flu vaccination campaign. The main motivation of the staff to get vaccinated was a personal conviction for 71.4%, to avoid administrative sanctions for 7.1% and to have good relation with the administration for 5.1% of them. The probability of not getting vaccinated were significantly multiplied by 2.47; CI 95% = [1.15 - 5.32] among males compared to females and also it was significantly multiplied by 2.31; CI 95% = [1.07 - 4.9] among muslims compared to non muslims. Conclusion: The global flu vaccination rate in our study could be considered as acceptable to achieve herd immunity, more efforts needed in the future campaigns to convince especially male and muslim staff to take the flu vaccine.