title: Changes in influenza vaccination rates among healthcare workers following a pandemic influenza year at a Japanese tertiary care centre.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although influenza vaccination, which is a key part of a control plan to prevent nosocomial influenza transmission, is recommended for all healthcare workers (HCWs), the achievement of a high influenza vaccination rate among HCWs is a challenge. In Japan, there are limited data on influenza vaccination rates among HCWs. Moreover, the effect of pandemic influenza on influenza vaccination rates among HCWs following a pandemic year remains unclear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine influenza vaccination rates among HCWs at a tertiary medical centre in Japan, and to evaluate the need for further interventions to enhance the vaccination rate among HCWs.
  
  
  METHODS
  The 2005-2010 influenza vaccination rates among HCWs at a 550-bed, tertiary care centre in Sapporo, Japan were reviewed retrospectively using the hospital's occupational health service database.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a gradual increase in the seasonal influenza vaccination rate in this population from 2005 to 2010, and a high vaccination rate among HCWs during the 2009-2010 pandemic H1N1 influenza season. However, the seasonal influenza vaccination rate in 2010-2011 was significantly lower than that for the pandemic vaccine in 2009-2010, with doctors having the lowest vaccination rate among all HCWs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pandemic influenza may not have a sustained effect on the uptake of influenza vaccination in subsequent years. Thus, vaccination rates among HCWs after a pandemic year still need to be monitored, and the implementation of interventions such as a mandatory vaccination programme should be considered to maintain consistently adequate vaccination rates.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of General Internal Medicine, Teine Keijinkai Medical Centre, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. hondah@hotmail.com
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Honda
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Padival
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shimamura
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Babcock
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007564:Japan; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines