The evaluation of free influenza vaccination in health care workers in a medical center in Taiwan.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the outcome of free influenza vaccination for healthcare workers in Taiwan.


METHODS
A retrospective observational study was conducted in a partially vaccinated sample of healthcare workers in a medical centre in the southern part of Taiwan. A convenience sample of 500 employees received a questionnaire.


METHODS
Incidence of influenza like- illness (ILI), rates of absenteeism and costs savings.


RESULTS
A final number of 407 returned questionnaires could be evaluated. Forty respondents were not vaccinated. The incidence of ILI was lower in the vaccinated group than the nonvaccinated group (13.6 vs. 15%). Fever was the most frequently occurring ILI. Rate of absenteeism because of ILI in the non-vaccinated employees was higher than in the group of vaccinated employees. The costs per saved lost working day was US $36.


CONCLUSIONS
Free influenza vaccination may cause reductions in incidence, absenteeism, and costs associated with ILI in healthcare workers in Taiwan.
Chan
Agnes L F
AL
Department of Pharmacy, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Shie
Huei-Jen
HJ
Lee
Yung-Jin
YJ
Lin
Shun-Jin
SJ
D000041:Absenteeism; D000328:Adult; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015994:Incidence; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan
D007252:Influenza Vaccines