A campaign aimed at increasing seasonal influenza vaccination coverage among post graduate medical residents in an Italian teaching hospital

Abstract

We analysed the impact of several strategies aimed at increasing influenza immunisation rates among Medical Residents (MRs) of an Italian teaching Hospital.During the 2015-16 and 2016-17 influenza seasons we carried out several interventions: ambulatory doubling where vaccination was offered, ambulatory opening hour extension, email invitations, informative materials, forum theatre and vaccination campaign conference. In addition, during the 2016-17 the OSV was carried out: MRs who go to specific wards where they perform influenza immunisation counselling and eventually vaccinate the personnel. 99/1041 (9.5%) and 184/1013 (18.2%) MRs received the vaccine in 2015-16 and in 2016-17 respectively (p < 0.0001). Significant difference was found among three specialisation areas (medicine, surgery, "services"; p < 0.001) and among years of residency (p < 0.001). The highest coverage was found among Infectious Diseases, Paediatrics, Haematology and Hygiene MRs (80%, 67%, 52% and 52% respectively) in 2016-2017 season. The highest coverage increase was found among MRs in Pneumology and Geriatrics (566% and 268%, respectively). The coverage rate has increased even though important differences among specialties persist. The study shows a significant increase in immunisation rate among MRs after the implementation of these strategies. ARTICLE HISTORY

Impact of Communicative and Informative Strategies on Influenza Vaccination Adherence and Absenteeism from Work of Health Care Professionals Working at the University Hospital of Palermo, Italy: A Quasi-Experimental Field Trial on Twelve Influenza Seasons

“…The age distribution of vaccinated HCWs during the last four seasons suggested, especially among young HCWs, a satisfactory effectiveness of informative and communicative campaigns based mainly on social networks and new social media, as previously reported in other experiences [20][21][22]. In particular, the significant decrease of the mean age of HCWs vaccinated confirmed a better response to strategies promoted at the UH of Palermo among health-care professionals under 40 years old.…”

Increasing influenza vaccination coverage in healthcare workers: a review on campaign strategies and their effect

“…Organizational aspects which facilitated access to the vaccine were implemented in eight studies [18,[21][22][23][24][25][26][27]; however, OSV was highlighted as a main intervention in only four campaigns [23,[25][26][27]. OSV as implemented key intervention increased VC overall by 113.6% (SD: ± 102.7%, range 30.8%-263.6%) (Table1).…”

Gender, Socioeconomic, and Health Characteristics Associated with Influenza Vaccination Coverage (VC) among Italian Healthcare Workers: Secondary Analysis of a National Cross-Sectional Survey

“…Similar evidence has been gathered in an Italian setting [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]. However, recent shreds of evidence relating to the Italian context have shown that specific organizational and educational interventions may have mixed results in ameliorating influenza VC [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Thus, research is important in finding variables useful in designing systematic interventions aimed at implementing HCWs vaccination coverage.…”