Immunization related behaviour among healthcare workers in Europe: Results of the HProImmune survey

Abstract

Objectives: Vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) continue to pose a significant threat to healthcare workers (HCWs) while immunization among this group remains low. HCWs' behaviours as well as facilitators and barriers towards their vaccination for a number of VPDs were explored through an EU-wide survey. Methods: HCWs across the EU answered online survey that explored attitudes and behaviours towards vaccination for a number of VPDs. Response data were adjusted based on weights estimated by HCWs' country and working profession according to WHO statistics. The survey was delivered between October 2012 and April 2014. Results: Analysis was based on responses from 5,424 HCWs from 14 European countries. The majority (86.7%) had a positive attitude regarding immunizations. HCWs considered influenza (86.4%), viral hepatitis type B (71.9%) and tuberculosis (59.1%) as higher risk diseases for occupational exposure in the workplace. However, 43.8% reported not receiving a seasonal influenza vaccine in the last 10 years and 65.6% reported not receiving the pandemic influenza vaccine in 2009. Main enablers towards immunizations included believing in vaccine protection and easy, free of charge access to vaccines in the workplace. Barriers to up-to-date immunizations differed according to disease but included concerns about short-and long-term effects. Conclusion: Although the concept of mandatory vaccination seems to be favoured by many health professionals in Europe, it remains a controversial subject both among HCWs' profession categories and also among different countries. Interventions to increase vaccination among HCWs would benefit by tailoring their approach according to disease and target group.

Self-reported immunity and opinions on vaccination of hospital personnel among paediatric healthcare workers in Denmark

“…A recent study involving 14 European countries found an overall of 65.7% HCWs favouring mandatory immunisation for HCWs involved in clinical work. However, rates differed significantly among countries [28] . Interestingly, when asking the public, >90% agree that HCWs have an obligation to be vaccinated against influenza and pertussis and just as many support vaccination for childcare workers [29] .…”

“…Several ethical issues are associated with HCW immunisation and mandatory vaccination is far from Danish principles. A voluntary vaccination program seems the best approach to foster greater employee cooperation and trust in the system [28] . Education regarding the potential health consequences for patients, diagnosis, treatment, modes of transmission and easy access to free vaccines including worksite vaccination during all shifts will undoubtedly increase vaccination uptake and must be prioritised before considering mandatory programs.…”

What influenza vaccination programmes are preferred by healthcare personnel? A discrete choice experiment

“…The World Health Organization recommends that HCP should be vaccinated against influenza each year and free SIV has been provided to HCP in many locations [12,13]. However, despite great efforts on promoting SIV among HCP, uptake rates remain unsatisfactory in the US [14], and widespread low in most European countries [15,16], Australia [17] and also in Hong Kong [18,19].…”

A Wide Range of Strategies to Cope with Healthcare Workers’ Vaccine Hesitancy in A North-Eastern Italian Region: Are They Enough?

“…At the European level, Slovenian and Italian HCWs resulted to be the most skeptical professionals with regards to vaccination [9]. The discussion of our results with the surveyed healthcare institutions allowed all participants to compare strategies adopted, while indirectly increasing awareness about HCWs' vaccination crucial role.…”

“…Global and national data about HCWs vaccine coverage are not satisfying, as in Italy just 65% of HCWs are vaccinated for varicella, 80.5% for measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), and 93.7% for pertussis [6]; moreover, influenza vaccine coverage among HCWs is even worse [6,7] still being far from reaching desired levels. Even if strongly recommended by the scientific community [5,8] and not largely opposed by HCWs [9,10], as long as HCWs vaccination is not mandatory, great importance should be given to vaccination campaign rendering within healthcare organizations [7]. This study aims at describing HCWs vaccination campaign design within healthcare institutions of a North Italian Region (Friuli Venezia Giulia Region), comparing different strategies also considering healthcare institutions' characteristics and influenza vaccination coverage for 2019-2020 season.…”