Pediatr Infect Vaccine.  2019 Dec;26(3):170-178. 10.14776/piv.2019.26.e21.

Non-Mandatory Influenza Vaccination Rates among Healthcare Workers during the 2017–2018 Influenza Season: a Multicenter Study in Korea

Affiliations
  • 1Infection Control Unit, National Cancer Center, Goyang, the Republic of Korea. yjc@ncc.re.kr
  • 2Department of Pediatrics, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, the Republic of Korea.
  • 3Institute for Immunology and Immunological Diseases, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, the Republic of Korea.
  • 4Division of Infectious disease, Department of Internal Medicine, National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, the Republic of Korea.
  • 5Department of Internal Medicine, Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital, Goyang, the Republic of Korea.
  • 6Department of Internal Medicine, National Cancer Center, Goyang, the Republic of Korea.

Abstract

PURPOSE
Annual influenza vaccination is the best strategy to prevent healthcare-associated influenza transmission. Influenza vaccination rates among healthcare workers (HCWs) vary by country, region, and year. We investigated the influenza vaccination rates for HCWs during the 2017-2018 influenza season in South Korea, where a non-mandatory vaccination campaign was conducted.
METHODS
We retrospectively investigated factors affecting the influenza vaccination rate among HCWs during the 2017-2018 influenza season in three tertiary hospitals in Goyang City, where the non-mandatory influenza vaccination program is conducted.
RESULTS
Consequently, 6,994 of 7,180 HCWs (97%) were included, and the overall vaccination rate was 85%. Nurses had the highest rate with 92%, followed by health technicians (88%), physicians (84%), and non-medical HCWs (79%, P<0.001). Vaccination rates differed, depending on the frequency of contact with patients in the non-medical HCWs (frequent contact vs. less-frequent contact; 90% vs. 73%, P<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
The influenza vaccination rate among HCWs during the 2017-2018 influenza season in Korea was 85%, which is among the highest rates compared with previously reported non-mandatory vaccination rates in other countries. The vaccination rate may vary depending on the HCW's occupational characteristics, including the extent of contact with the patient. Therefore, a multifaceted strategy is needed to increase the vaccination rate of HCWs.

Keyword

Healthcare workers; Influenza vaccine; Mass vaccination; Korea; Healthcare worker-patient transmission

MeSH Terms

Delivery of Health Care*
Humans
Infectious Disease Transmission, Professional-to-Patient
Influenza Vaccines
Influenza, Human*
Korea*
Mass Vaccination
Retrospective Studies
Seasons*
Tertiary Care Centers
Vaccination*
Influenza Vaccines

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Selection of study population. Abbreviation: HCW, healthcare worker.

  • Fig. 2 Different influenza vaccination rate according to occupational subgroup. (A) Physicians, (B) Nurses, and (C) Non-medical HCWs. Abbreviation: HCW, healthcare worker.


Reference

1. Frenzel E, Chemaly RF, Ariza-Heredia E, Jiang Y, Shah DP, Thomas G, et al. Association of increased influenza vaccination in health care workers with a reduction in nosocomial influenza infections in cancer patients. Am J Infect Control. 2016; 44:1016–1021.
Article
2. Ng AN, Lai CK. Effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccination in healthcare workers: a systematic review. J Hosp Infect. 2011; 79:279–286.
Article
3. Hollmeyer HG, Hayden F, Poland G, Buchholz U. Influenza vaccination of health care workers in hospitals--a review of studies on attitudes and predictors. Vaccine. 2009; 27:3935–3944.
Article
4. Pitts SI, Maruthur NM, Millar KR, Perl TM, Segal J. A systematic review of mandatory influenza vaccination in healthcare personnel. Am J Prev Med. 2014; 47:330–340.
Article
5. Dini G, Toletone A, Sticchi L, Orsi A, Bragazzi NL, Durando P. Influenza vaccination in healthcare workers: a comprehensive critical appraisal of the literature. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2018; 14:772–789.
Article
6. Black CL, Yue X, Ball SW, Fink RV, de Perio MA, Laney AS, et al. Influenza vaccination coverage among health care personnel - United States, 2017-18 influenza season. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2018; 67:1050–1054.
Article
7. To KW, Lai A, Lee KC, Koh D, Lee SS. Increasing the coverage of influenza vaccination in healthcare workers: review of challenges and solutions. J Hosp Infect. 2016; 94:133–142.
8. Yoon HJ, Lim J, Choi B, Kim J, Kim J, Kim C, et al. Vaccination rates and related factors among health care workers in South Korea, 2009. Am J Infect Control. 2013; 41:753–754.
Article
9. Arda B, Durusoy R, Yamazhan T, Sipahi OR, Taşbakan M, Pullukçu H, et al. Did the pandemic have an impact on influenza vaccination attitude? A survey among health care workers. BMC Infect Dis. 2011; 11:87.
Article
10. Hakim H, Gaur AH, McCullers JA. Motivating factors for high rates of influenza vaccination among healthcare workers. Vaccine. 2011; 29:5963–5969.
Article
11. Rakita RM, Hagar BA, Crome P, Lammert JK. Mandatory influenza vaccination of healthcare workers: a 5-year study. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2010; 31:881–888.
Article
Full Text Links
  • PIV
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr