title: Comparative acceptance of pertussis and influenza immunization among health-care personnel.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pertussis and influenza immunization in health-care professionals (HCP) has been shown to lead to significant reduction of nosocomial infections. Parallel campaigns of pertussis and seasonal influenza immunization gave us a unique opportunity to compare attitudes towards influenza and pertussis immunization among HCP and to determine acceptance rates for both or either one of the two immunizations or refusal of both.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire was sent to HCP to anonymously obtain demographic data, profession, numbers of previous influenza immunizations, acceptance of influenza immunization in the current 2012/13 season, pertussis immunization currently or within the last 10 years, and reasons for acceptance or decline of pertussis and influenza vaccination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 638 HCP with patient contact, 314 (49%) responded and 303 (47%) were included in the analysis. Immunization acceptance rates were 33% for influenza, 57% for pertussis; 24% accepted both immunizations and 34% none of both. Acceptance of influenza immunization was significantly higher in those with one or more previous influenza vaccinations (p<0.005). Among 130 HCP who declined pertussis immunization, missed opportunity (28%) was the dominant reason. Of 204 HCP who declined influenza immunization, the most frequently stated reason was "lack of influenza immunization is not considered an issue" (36%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Misconceptions about the efficacy and necessity of pertussis and especially influenza immunization continue to prevail among HCP. Active promotion, personal encouragement, providing more immunization opportunities and other incentives are measures that should be considered to increase the rate of immunization among HCP.
authors.affiliation: University Children's Hospital Basel, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Anna-Julia
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Ryser
authors.affiliation: University Children's Hospital Basel, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland. Electronic address: Ulrich.Heininger@ukbb.ch.
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Heininger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009726:Nurses; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010820:Physicians; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology; D014611:Vaccination; D014917:Whooping Cough / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Attitudes; Health-care personnel; Influenza; Pertussis; Vaccination