Influenza vaccination of healthcare workers in the United States, 1989-2002.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to estimate influenza vaccination coverage among healthcare workers (HCWs) in the United States during 1989-2002 and to identify factors associated with vaccination in this group. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends annual influenza vaccination for HCWs to reduce transmission of influenza to patients at high risk for serious complications of influenza.


METHODS
Analysis of cross-sectional data from 1989-2002 surveys conducted by the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). The outcome measure was self-reported influenza vaccination in the past 12 months. Bivariate and multivariate analysis of 2002 NHIS data.


METHODS
Household interviews conducted during 1989-2002, weighted to reflect the noninstitutionalized, civilian US population.


METHODS
Adults aged 18 years or older participated in the study. A total of 2,089 were employed in healthcare occupations or settings in 2002, and 17,160 were employed in nonhealthcare occupations or settings.


RESULTS
The influenza vaccination rate among US HCWs increased from 10.0% in 1989 to 38.4% in 2002, with no significant change since 1997. In a multivariate model that included data from the 2002 NHIS, factors associated with a higher rate of influenza vaccination among HCWs aged 18-64 years included age of 50 years or older (odds ratio [OR], 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-2.1), hospital employee status (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.2-1.9), 1 or more visits to the office of a healthcare professional in the past 12 months (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1-2.2), receipt of employer-provided health insurance (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1-2.1), a history of pneumococcal vaccination (OR, 3.9; 95% CI, 2.5-6.1), and history of hepatitis B vaccination (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.4-2.4). Non-Hispanic black persons were less likely to be vaccinated (OR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.5-0.9) than non-Hispanic white persons. There were no significant differences in vaccination levels according to HCW occupation category.


CONCLUSIONS
Influenza immunization among HCWs reached a plateau during 1997-2002. New strategies are needed to encourage US HCWs to receive influenza vaccination to prevent influenza illness in themselves and transmission of influenza to vulnerable patients.
National Immunization Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. fwalker@cdc.gov
Frances J
FJ
Walker
James A
JA
Singleton
Pengjun
P
Lu
Karen G
KG
Wooten
Raymond A
RA
Strikas
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009309:National Center for Health Statistics, U.S.; D009790:Occupations; D014481:United States; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends
D007252:Influenza Vaccines