title: New interventions to increase influenza vaccination rates in health care workers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The most effective strategy for avoiding nosocomial influenza outbreaks is through vaccination of health care workers (HCWs). In Spain, HCW vaccination coverage rarely exceeds 25%. The objective of this study was to determine whether an active vaccination campaign promoting communication among HCWs increased influenza vaccination coverage rates and permitted a shorter campaign.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a before-after trial, comparing free mobile vaccination teams without and with strategies promoting HCW involvement by means of weekly educational and promotional messages through electronic mail, including 2 prize draws for vaccinated HCWs and a Web page including pictures of vaccinated HCWs and all senior hospital management. Weekly coverages were publicized, the staff of mobile units was increased, and their routes in the hospital were advertised. The study population was >4500 HCWs (permanent and temporary staff) at a Spanish university hospital during the 2007-08 and 2008-09 influenza seasons.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Coverage was 23% (95% confidence interval [CI], 22.5%-24.9%) in the 2007-08 season and 37% (95% CI, 34.7%-37.4%) in 2008-09 season. The vaccination rate was highest in HCWs aged > or =65 years and in physicians. The weekly vaccination rates were significantly higher for the 2008-09 season compared with the 2007-08 season except for the first and third weeks; for example, in week 2, the rate was 1.7 HCWs per 100 persons-week (95% CI, 1.3-2.1) in 2007-08, compared with 3.7 HCWs per 100 persons-week (95% CI, 3.2-4.4) in 2009-09. Rate increases were concentrated in the first weeks of the program, with a peak occurring in week 3 during the 2007-08 season and in week 2 during the 2008-09 season.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This intervention improved influenza vaccination coverage of HCWs and allowed more rapid achievement of higher coverage.
authors.affiliation: Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology Unit, Institut d'investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. allupia@clinic.ub.es
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Llupià
authors.forename: Alberto L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: García-Basteiro
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Olivé
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Costas
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ríos
authors.forename: Sebastiana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Quesada
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Varela
authors.forename: Jose M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bayas
authors.forename: Antoni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Trilla
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013030:Spain; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines