Seventy-two percent of healthcare personnel received an influenza vaccination for the 2012-2013 season, compared with about 67 percent in the year prior and 64 percent in the 2011-2012 season, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report.
The CDC conducted an opt-in Internet survey from April 1 to 16, 2013. Here are some findings from the 1,944 respondents:
• 71.1 percent of vaccinated HCP received the vaccination in the workplace.
• Among HCP in four settings — hospital, ambulatory/physician office, long-term care facility and other clinical setting — vaccination coverage was highest among workers in hospitals, at 83.1 percent, and lowest among workers in LTCFs, at 58.9 percent.
• HCP vaccination rates were 75.7 percent in settings that offered free on-site vaccination for one day, 86.2 percent in settings that offered this service on multiple days and 55.3 percent in settings that did not offer free on-site vaccination.
• Vaccination coverage was 96.5 percent in settings where employers required HCP influenza vaccination, 76.9 percent in settings where employers promoted but did not mandate vaccination and 50.4 percent in settings where employers did not promote or require vaccination.
Here is a breakdown of vaccination coverage by HCP occupation:
• Physicians — 92.3 percent
• Pharmacists — 89.1 percent
• Nurse practitioners/physician assistants — 88.5 percent
• Nurses — 84.8 percent
• Other clinical personnel — 68.6 percent
• Nonclinical personnel — 64.8 percent
The CDC suggests three ways to increase influenza vaccination among HCP:
1. Provide HCP with information on vaccination benefits and risks for themselves and their patients.
2. Offer vaccinations in the workplace at convenient locations and times.
3. Offer influenza vaccinations at no cost.
More Articles on Influenza Vaccination:
CDC Updates Influenza Vaccine Recommendations
Study: Risk Awareness Doesn't Increase Healthcare Workers' Flu Shot Rates
Study: Loyola University Medical Center's Mandatory Flu Shot Policy Succeeds