Vaccination coverage and attitudes towards influenza of hospital healthcare workers, Piraeus

Abstract number: r2266

Kosmopoulou  O., Peppas  T.A., Sahinidis  T., Zachos  N., Hager  I.F., Grivas  A., Galanakis  N.

Objective: 

To estimate coverage and attitudes toward influenza vaccination (INV) among healthcare workers (HW) of a tertiary Piraeus Hospital.

Methods: 

Time: 

October, 2005. An anonymous questionnaire completed by HCWs regarding INV coverage, INV intention for the forthcoming season, reasons if not vaccinated, awareness and influenza epidemic/pandemic risk estimate, as well as history of influenza like illness (ILI) reported during the previous influenza season. Data entry in PC, analysis by SPSS.

Results: 

A return of 208 HCW (M: 86 F: 122, medical: 87, nursing/technicians: 121, m. age: 38.4 ± 8.2 years) questionnaires was entered for analysis. INV last season was reported in 20/208 (9.6%) a rate higher in medical personnel [13.7%, but non significantly so v nursing HCW]. Similar rates observed for previous seasons (10.3%, fall 2003). Awareness of INV indication was 71%, non-INV reasons given were negligence, doubts about necessity, fear of adverse events/injections and difficulty in obtaining. Intention for INV was expressed in 50.2% of HCW for the coming season, a rate lower than those anticipating a possible flu pandemic [56.7%]. Álso of note was the rate of HCW reporting ILI during the previous flu season (33%).

Conclusions: 

The rate of influenza vaccination coverage was found quite low (~10%), as shown in similar European papers, and far lower than the US respective figures. Strategies to increase acceptance, compliance are warranted as are prompt central and local administrative interventions to ensure optimal coverage at the soonest possible time.