Improving influenza immunization rates among healthcare workers caring for high-risk pediatric patients.
OBJECTIVE
To assess influenza vaccination rates of healthcare workers (HCWs) in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), pediatric intensive care units (PICUs), and oncology units in Pediatric Prevention Network (PPN) hospitals.


METHODS
Infection control practitioners and HCWs in NICUs, PICUs, and oncology units.


METHODS
In November 2000, posters, electronic copies of a slide presentation, and an influenza fact sheet were distributed to 32 of 76 PPN hospitals. In January 2001, a survey was distributed to PPN hospital participants to obtain information about the immunization campaigns. On February 7, 2001, a survey of influenza immunization was conducted among HCWs in NICU, PICU, and oncology units at participating hospitals.


RESULTS
Infection control practitioners from 19 (25%) of the 76 PPN hospitals completed the surveys. The median influenza immunization rate was 43% (range, 12% to 63%), with 7 hospitals exceeding 50%. HCWs (n = 1123) at 15 PPN hospitals completed a survey; 53% of HCWs reported receiving influenza immunization. Immunization rates varied by work site: 52% in NICUs and PICUs compared with 60% in oncology units. Mobile carts and PPN educational fact cards were associated with higher rates among these subpopulations (P < .001) (361 [63%] of 575 vs 236 [44%] of 541 for mobile carts; 378 [60%] of 633 vs 219 [45%] of 483 for fact cards).


CONCLUSIONS
Despite delayed distribution of influenza vaccine during the 2000-2001 season, immunization rates at 7 hospitals and among HCWs in high-risk units exceeded the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions goal of 50%.
Bryant
Kristina A
KA
University of Louisville, KY, USA.
Stover
Beth
B
Cain
Linda
L
Levine
Gail L
GL
Siegel
Jane
J
Jarvis
William R
WR
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016522:Oncology Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D013192:Staff Development / Q000379:methods; D014481:United States
D007252:Influenza Vaccines