Attitudes amongst Australian hospital healthcare workers towards seasonal influenza and vaccination

Abstract

Background Amongst healthcare workers (HCWs), compliance rates with influenza vaccination are traditionally low. Although a safe and effective vaccine is available, there is little Australian data on reasons for poor compliance, especially amongst allied health and ancillary support staff. Methods Cross‐sectional investigation of a sample of clinical and non‐clinical HCWs from two tertiary‐referral teaching hospitals in Sydney, Australia was conducted between June 4 and October 19, 2007. The self‐administered questionnaire was distributed to hospital personal from 40 different wards and departments. The main outcome measures were personal beliefs about influenza vaccination and self‐reported vaccination status. Results Respondents (n = 1079) were categorized into four main groups by occupation: nurses (47·5%, 512/1079), physicians (26·0%, 281/1079), allied health (15·3%, 165/1079) and ancillary (11·2%, 121/1079). When asked whether they felt the influenza vaccine was safe or effective, 81% (879/1079) and 68% (733/1079), respectively, replied in the affirmative. Participants felt that it was more important to get vaccinated to protect patients (74%, 796/1079) than family (68%, 730/1079) or self‐protection (66%, 712/1079). However, only 22% (241/1079) of the HCWs who replied reported receiving the vaccine the year the survey was conducted. Conclusions Although HCWs had an adequate level of knowledge towards influenza vaccination, only 22% of them were vaccinated. The approach to improving influenza vaccination rates amongst HCWs and to tackling misconceptions must be multifaceted, adaptable and must evolve regularly to increase coverage.

A Review of the Evidence to Support Influenza Vaccine Introduction in Countries and Areas of WHO's Western Pacific Region

“…Twenty-seven studies focused on the prioritization of influenza vaccination within various target groups, of which 96% (n = 26) were from high-income countries (Table 2). Eight studies focused on health care workers; three assessed perceptions and vaccine uptake among health care workers [6]–[8], four on the need for further education for health care workers to increase their vaccine coverage rates [9]–[12] and one on their role in impacting the likelihood of influenza vaccination for the elderly [13]. Nine other studies assessed the factors that impact the likelihood of vaccination among the elderly [13]–[17], individuals with chronic conditions [18], [19] and pregnant women [20], [21].…”

Influenza Vaccination: Healthcare Workers Attitude in Three Middle East Countries

“…This result is in consistence with other studies that identified the main reason for taking the vaccines by HCWs to be for self protection. 12,13 However, a study conducted in Australia revealed that the most important reason for vaccine uptake was to protect their patients against transmission of the disease, where almost three quarters of the participants identified patient protection to be the main reason for taking up the influenza vaccination 13…”

Understanding motivators and barriers of hospital-based obstetric and pediatric health care worker influenza vaccination programs in Australia

“…The common misconceptions about influenza or influenza vaccination discussed by participants are consistent with key barriers to vaccination identified in other HCW groups in Australian and international studies. 19,[29][30][31][32][33][34] Secondly, the issue of privacy was raised by a number of HCWs. While a privacy screen was offered in the cafeteria location many HCWs felt this was inadequate and would impact negatively on desire to be immunised.…”

“…Firstly, many HCWs reported a sense of responsibility toward being vaccinated which is consistent with previous studies and for other HCW groups. 31,33,34,36 Secondly, the convenience, ease of access and free cost to HCWs was also raised by participants.…”

“…The need for an accessible and convenient program is well documented 33,36 and many interventions to increase uptake in HCWs have attempted to address this. Free cost of the vaccine was also highlighted by participants as an incentive.…”