title: Vaccination coverage and susceptibility against vaccine-preventable diseases of healthcare students in Athens, Greece.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vaccination of healthcare students is important to protect them from acquiring and transmitting vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) to high-risk patients and other healthcare workers (HCWs). The aim of the current study was to estimate the vaccination coverage, the susceptibility against VPDs, the knowledge and attitudes toward vaccinations of healthcare students studying at the Athens Technological Educational Institute.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted during the academic year 2012-2013 using a standardized questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean knowledge score (correct answers) of healthcare students about the vaccines that are recommended by the Greek Ministry of Health for HCWs was 41%. Completed vaccination rates range from 19.6% for varicella to 80.2% for tetanus-diphtheria. A history of measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, or pertussis was reported by 8.2%, 4%, 5.4%, 70.4%, 1.5%, 0%, and 3% of students, respectively. Susceptibility rates were 20.5% against measles, 26.4% against mumps, 13.9% against rubella, 15.7% against varicella, 47.8% against hepatitis A, 17.3% against hepatitis B, and 19.8% against tetanus-diphtheria. Mandatory vaccination of HCWs was supported by 145 (96.7%) students.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are significant immunity gaps against all VPDs among healthcare students in Athens. A system to easily identify non-immune students should be established in association with efficient reminder systems. Education of healthcare students about VPDs and vaccines will improve their attitudes toward vaccinations and their vaccination coverage. Mandatory vaccinations should be considered for HCWs in order to promote safety within healthcare facilities.
authors.affiliation: Department for Interventions in HealthCare Facilities, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Katerina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Karageorgou
authors.affiliation: Department for Interventions in HealthCare Facilities, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Panos
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Katerelos
authors.affiliation: National Health Operations Centre, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Efstathiou
authors.affiliation: University of Athens, First Department of Pediatrics, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Theodoridou
authors.affiliation: Department for Interventions in HealthCare Facilities, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: helen-maltezou@ath.forthnet.gr.
authors.forename: Helena C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Maltezou
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D008297:Male; D037141:Mandatory Programs; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Coverage; Healthcare students; Susceptibility; Vaccination