title: Predictors of acceptance of H1N1 influenza vaccination by FDNY firefighters and EMS workers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a widely recognized need for vaccination of health care workers (HCWs). We undertook this study to assess the 2009-2010 H1N1 vaccination rates in ∼14,000 firefighters and emergency medical service (EMS) workers at the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) and to determine predictors of H1N1 vaccine acceptance.
  
  
  METHODS
  After 9/11/01, FDNY developed a bio-preparedness drill where units are dispatched to FDNY-BIOPOD (biologic points of distributions) for rapid distribution of medications/vaccines in the event of a biological disaster. Since 2005, FDNY offers free, voluntary seasonal influenza vaccination during routine medical monitoring/treatment examinations and at FDNY-BIOPOD. In 2009, FDNY-BIOPOD instead offered the H1N1 vaccine. We report on FDNY H1N1 vaccination rates and on predictors of acceptance using bivariate and multivariable techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 10,612 (77%) FDNY workers were offered H1N1 vaccination, of whom 5831 (55%) accepted. Acceptance was 57.2% during FDNY-BIOPOD compared with 34.4% during medical monitoring/treatment exams (p=0.0001). Workers who accepted prior seasonal influenza vaccinations were 4 times more likely to accept H1N1 vaccination (AOR=4.4, CI(95)=4.0-4.8).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FDNY offered H1N1 vaccination to 77% of its workforce during the 2009-2010 season. Prior seasonal vaccine acceptance and vaccination in a group setting such as FDNY-BIOPOD dramatically increased acceptance of the H1N1 vaccine. However, within a voluntary program, additional strategies are needed to further increase vaccine acceptance in first responders and other HCWs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, 111 East 210th Street, Bronx, NY 10467, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Glaser
authors.forename: Sydney
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chui
authors.forename: Mayris P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Webber
authors.forename: Jackson
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gustave
authors.forename: Roy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Mary T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: McLaughlin
authors.forename: Viola
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ortiz
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Prezant
authors.forename: Kerry
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kelly
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000276:immunology; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009518:New York; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010349:Patient Compliance; D014481:United States; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines