[Vaccination against influenza in medical staff of Warsaw university hospitals and in students of Warsaw Medical University].
BACKGROUND
According to CDC recommendations, medical staff should be vaccinated against influenza each year. The objective of this work was to establish the percentage of medical personnel and students vaccinated against influenza in two Warsaw university hospitals and Warsaw Medical University, to evaluate their level of awareness about the importance of vaccination and to identify reasons for not taking vaccines.


METHODS
The anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted in the population of 166 physicians, 104 nurses and 254 students.


RESULTS
Only 22.3% of physicians, 10.6% of nurses and 13.4% of students regularly take vaccines against influenza. Free of charge vaccination was offered to 19% of physicians, 15% of nurses and 6% of students. Awareness of the need for influenza vaccination and willingness to take free-of-charge vaccination were declared by 42% of nurses. Physicians justified their decisions not to undergo vaccination by no need to vaccinate, laziness and lack of time, nurses by no need to vaccinate and costs, and students by costs and laziness.


CONCLUSIONS
The percentage of medical staff of Warsaw university hospitals who regularly take vaccines against influenza is low. In view of the reluctance to take influenza vaccines observed in the study population, there is an urgent need to intensify educational efforts to increase awareness of the importance to be vaccinated.
Zielonka
Tadeusz M
TM
Warszawski Uniwersytet Medyczny, Warszawa. tmzielonka@wp.pl
Lesiński
Jan
J
Zycińska
Katarzyna
K
Machowicz
Rafał
R
Wardyn
Andrzej K
AK
D000328:Adult; D002755:Choice Behavior; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012938:Social Perception; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D007252:Influenza Vaccines