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

Abstract

Please cite this paper as: Maltezou and Tsakris. (2011) Vaccination of health‐care workers against influenza: our obligation to protect patients. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 5(6), 382–388.Nosocomial influenza poses a threat for specific groups of patients and is associated not only with the disruption of health‐care services but also excess costs. Although vaccination of health‐care workers (HCWs) has been recommended for almost three decades and constitutes the most convenient and effective means to prevent nosocomial transmission, vaccine uptake within this group remains unacceptably low worldwide. In regard to the pandemic influenza A H1N1, HCWs constitute a priority group for immunization. Nevertheless, low vaccination rates have been documented regarding the influenza pandemic and associated with the onset of nosocomial cases and outbreaks. HCWs, health‐care institutions, and public health bodies have the moral obligation to protect vulnerable patients and therefore weigh the benefits of mandatory vaccination. Key effective interventions, such as the education of HCWs concerning the benefits and safety of influenza vaccination, the reinforcement of on‐site, free of charge vaccinations, and the use of mobile vaccination teams in conjunction with incentives, should be widely implemented.

Influenzaimpfquoten in hessischen Krankenhäusern

“…Doch nosokomiale Influenzainfektionen können auch für medizinische Beschäftigte eine relevante Gesundheitsgefährdung darstellen (beispielsweise für pulmonal oder kardial vorerkrankte Mitarbeiter, schwangere Beschäftigte; [12]). In einer Seroprävalenzstudie fand sich in einer Influenzasaison bei nahezu jedem vierten ungeimpften Mitarbeiter eine Influenzainfektion [13,14].…”

“…[14,17]. Dessen ungeachtet sind die Influenzaimpfquoten beim medizinischen Personal unzureichend [12,18]. Als häufiger Grund, sich nicht impfen zu lassen, wird eine mangelnde Effektivität des Influenzaimpfstoffes genannt [7,19,20].…”

“…Nur so können strukturelle Defizite und Hindernisse abgebaut werden. Ungeimpfte Mitarbeiter sind oftmals Auslöser für nosokomiale Influenzaausbrüche [12,15]. Nosokomiale Infektionen sind ein Risiko für Mitarbeiter und Patienten und bedeuten für die betroffenen Krankenhäuser eine enorme Belastung sowohl in organisatorischer als auch in finanzieller Hinsicht [11].…”

Annual influenza vaccination

“…5,6 This highlights the importance of achieving high vaccination rates among healthy individuals, for example HCPs, to reduce the transmission. [7][8][9][10] Despite the importance, literature consistently illustrates sub-optimal vaccination rates of less than 80% among HCPs in Australia (17-58%) and other developed countries. 8,[11][12][13] The Australian government subsidizes influenza vaccination for certain at risk populations.…”

“…[7][8][9][10] Despite the importance, literature consistently illustrates sub-optimal vaccination rates of less than 80% among HCPs in Australia (17-58%) and other developed countries. 8,[11][12][13] The Australian government subsidizes influenza vaccination for certain at risk populations. However, HCP influenza vaccination is considered the responsibility of employers 11,13,14 for the protection of vulnerable patients and the occupational health and safety of employees.…”