Vaccination against influenza: UK health care workers not on-message.
Vaccination of health care workers against influenza is considered to be important as a means of protecting patients from nosocomial infection. Vaccine uptake rates have been reported to be no more than 40% and often between 20 and 30%. An evaluation of the performance of UK National Health Service trusts, following a governmental directive to implement vaccination during the winter of 2000-2001, has shown a poor uptake of vaccine. Reasons for accepting or declining vaccine are discussed. There is a need for global leadership on this issue to promote the value of vaccination and to change the behaviour of health care workers.
Harrison
J
J
Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, The Medical School, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK. john.harrison@ncl.ac.uk
Abbott
P
P
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D013222:State Medicine; D006113:United Kingdom
D007252:Influenza Vaccines