Factors That Influence Influenza Vaccination Among Healthcare Workers in a French Geriatric Hospital

Abstract

In a geriatric hospital in France, only 80 (21%) of 390 healthcare workers (HCWs) were vaccinated against influenza. Predictive factors for accepting influenza vaccination were occupation as a physician (odds ratio [OR], 9.79), previous receipt of influenza vaccination (OR, 36), and desire to protect their own health (OR, 2.42) and residents' health (OR, 3.68). Predictive factors for refusing influenza vaccination were occupation as a nurse (OR, 6.41) or nursing assistant (OR, 4.04) and belief that homeopathic medication is more effective than the vaccine (OR, 5.75).

Positive attitudes of French general practitioners towards A/H1N1 influenza-pandemic vaccination: A missed opportunity to increase vaccination uptakes in the general public?

“…In our survey, 70.6% of GPs had received the seasonal influenza vaccine every year in the prior three years and their personal history of seasonal vaccination receipt was strongly related to their acceptability of the A/H1N1 pandemic vaccination with a significant trend towards an exposure-effect relationship. Previous studies conducted among healthcare workers showed a similar relationship between the receipt of influenza vaccine in the previous season and willingness to accept: 1) seasonal influenza vaccine in general practice [27,28], hospitals [29], and long term care facilities [30,31]; 2) pre-pandemic A/H5N1 influenza vaccines in hospitals [22,32]; and 3) A/H1N1 influenza pandemic vaccines in hospitals [22]. In addition, previous receipt of seasonal flu vaccines was associated with willingness to accept unapproved influenza-pandemic vaccination in June 2009 among the general public in the US [14].…”

Intention to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine among nurses working in a long‐term care facility

“…In a study by Lehmann, Ruiter, van Dam, Wicker, and Kok (), past vaccination was found to explain a considerable amount of variance in the intention of health care workers to receive the influenza vaccine. This association was also reported in a study conducted in a long‐term care setting (Trivalle et al, ). This finding indicates the importance of promoting a culture of annual vaccination on a routine basis.…”

“…The CDC has set an influenza vaccination target of 90% for health care workers by 2020 (Nace, Handler, Hoffman, & Perera, ). However, despite the recommendations and although the influenza vaccine is safe, cheap, and lacks significant side effects (Kok et al, ), the influenza vaccination rate of health care workers, including those working at long‐term care facilities, remains low (Kok et al, ; Rebmann et al, ; Nace et al, ; Trivalle, Okenge, Hamon, Taillandier, & Falissard, ). In Israel, the Ministry of Health publishes an annual circular on the preparation of health care facilities for wintertime, recommending the influenza vaccination for hospital, long‐term care, and community‐based health care providers.…”

Vaccination of health-care workers against influenza: our obligation to protect patients

“…Misconceptions concerning vaccine effectiveness and safety, the belief that HCWs are not at risk of contacting influenza, fear of injections, a lack of leadership support, and unawareness regarding the recommendations for annual influenza vaccination appear as significant reasons (Table 2). 4,35,59–66 Similar barriers exist concerning the H1N1 pandemic vaccine. A strong association between the uptake of the seasonal influenza vaccine and the pandemic vaccine has been reported 24,67 .…”