Predictors of seasonal influenza vaccination among healthcare workers in hospitals: a descriptive meta-analysis

Abstract

Knowing that the vaccine is effective (mhRR 2.22; 95% CI 1.93 to 2.54), being willing to prevent influenza transmission (mhRR 2.31; 95% CI 1.97 to 2.70), believing that influenza is highly contagious (RR 2.25; 95% CI 1.66 to 3.05), believing that influenza prevention is important (mhRR 3.63; 95% CI 2.87 to 4.59) and having a family that is usually vaccinated (RR 2.32; 95% CI 1.64 to 3.28) were statistically significantly associated with a twofold higher vaccine uptake. We therefore recommend targeting these predictors when developing new influenza vaccination implementation strategies for hospital HCWs.

Trust and the demand for autonomy may explain the low rates of immunizations among nurses

“…The recent reviews on barriers to HCW vaccination emphasize the Health Belief Model components as barriers and not low levels of trust. 21,23,24 However, it seems that nurses are not different from lay persons that increasingly question the need for each vaccine.…”

“…21,23,24 In this study, nurses who care for healthy infants were interviewed about their attitudes and behaviors regarding vaccinations. These nurses' main occupation is to vaccinate infants and toddlers.…”

“…Trust in the public health authorities was also significantly associated with receiving the vaccines; the mean score was 3.70 for nurses who received the pertussis vaccine and 3.46 for those who influenza transmission and believing that influenza is highly contagious. 24 Negative attitudes toward vaccines have existed since the first development of vaccines two hundred years ago, relentlessly influencing the acceptance of vaccines. Lately, Poland and Jacobson 25,26 highlighted the struggle against the antivaccinationists.…”

Vaccination of healthcare workers: A review

“…Several factors influence the vaccination rate and single out target groups for vaccination campaigns. Men get vaccinated somewhat more often, 59 as do older workers. 59 Age can have other effects.…”

“…Men get vaccinated somewhat more often, 59 as do older workers. 59 Age can have other effects. For example, in a nation-wide Spanish survey, 60 among unvaccinated workers, being >35 years old was associated with an unwillingness to change one's mind and get vaccinated.…”