Increasing Healthcare Workers'(HCW) Uptake of Seasonal Influenza Vaccination (SIV) in a Tertiary Pediatric Hospital in Greece

METHODS:  A cross-sectional anonymous survey of HCWs was conducted during the 2015-2016 influenza season to assess HCWs’ attitudes, knowledge and perceptions on SIV. A multifaceted intervention was designed based on the findings, to improve HCW SIV uptake. In the fall of 2016 we implemented the intervention that included: a. a 2-page Q-and-A leaflet, distributed throughout the hospital, addressing the most common myths about seasonal influenza vaccine’s safety and effectiveness; b. Four visits by the Infection Control(IC) director and nurses to each unit to discuss the importance of SIV and vaccinate on-site; c. Regular SIV clinic hours at the hospital’s IC office were established and advertised; and d. A sticker indicating they had been vaccinated was handed out to all HCWs after SIV. Rates of HCW SIV were tracked through IC records.

RESULTS:  Our 2015 survey identified 3 main findings: a. Non-vaccination rates were significantly higher among nurses (75.7%) and cleaning/food service workers (72.7%), compared to doctors (40%)(P<0.001). b. Misconceptions and concerns regarding vaccine side-effects (40.1%) and ineffectiveness (26.6%) were common; and c. Less than half of HCW (48.7%) stated that they had enough information about where and when they could get vaccinated at the hospital. In January 2017, the hospital’s vaccination rate was at 30.8% - much higher than previous years of around 19%. The vaccination increased in all types of HCW with a considerable 2-fold increase of vaccinated nurses (Figure1).

CONCLUSIONS: A simple, low cost but tailor-made vaccination strategy can lead to an increase of SIV uptake.