Sustained low influenza vaccination rates in US healthcare workers.
BACKGROUND
A substantial morbidity and mortality burden attributable to the influenza virus is observed annually in the United States. Healthcare workers are an occupational group at increased risk of exposure, demonstrated to transmit influenza to their patient populations, and vital to the care of these patient populations. The prevention of the spread of the flu is a significant public health concern. In the present study, we examined influenza vaccination rates and their 5-year trends within the major occupational healthcare worker groups and compared them to non-Healthcare Workers.


METHODS
Using data from the nationally representative 2004-2008 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), US healthcare workers (n=6349) were analyzed.


RESULTS
Seasonal influenza vaccination coverage estimates remain low among all healthcare workers, highest among the health diagnosing and treating practitioners (52.3%), and lowest among other healthcare support occupations (32.0%). Among all other occupational groups, pooled influenza vaccination rates were highest for white collar workers (24.7%), and lowest for farm workers (11.7%). There were no significant upward or downward trends in influenza vaccination rates for any healthcare or other occupational worker group during the 5-year survey period.


CONCLUSIONS
Improving these low vaccination rates among healthcare workers warrants a comprehensive national approach to influenza prevention that includes education and strong encouragement of routine annual vaccination among healthcare workers. Policy enhancements such as free provision of seasonal influenza vaccine, coverage for treatment and workers compensation for vaccine-related complications are needed.
Caban-Martinez
Alberto J
AJ
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA. acaban@med.miami.edu
Lee
David J
DJ
Davila
Evelyn P
EP
LeBlanc
William G
WG
Arheart
Kristopher L
KL
McCollister
Kathryn E
KE
Christ
Sharon L
SL
Clarke
Tainya
T
Fleming
Lora E
LE
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D015438:Health Behavior; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D016014:Linear Models; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D007252:Influenza Vaccines