title: Increasing the coverage of influenza vaccination in healthcare workers: review of challenges and solutions.
abstract: Seasonal influenza vaccine uptake rate of healthcare workers (HCWs) varies widely from <5% to >90% worldwide. Perception of vaccine efficacy and side-effects are conventional factors affecting the uptake rates. These factors may operate on a personal and social level, impacting the attitudes and behaviours of HCWs. Vaccination rates were also under the influence of the occurrence of other non-seasonal influenza pandemics such as avian influenza. Different strategies have been implemented to improve vaccine uptake, with important ones including the enforcement of the local authority's recommendations, promulgation of practice guidelines, and mandatory vaccination polices. Practised in some regions in North America, mandatory policies have led to higher vaccination rate, but are not problem-free. The effects of conventional educational programmes and campaigns are in general of modest impact only. Availability of convenient vaccination facilities, such as mobile vaccination cart, and role models of senior HCWs receiving vaccination are among some strategies which have been observed to improve vaccination uptake rate. A multi-faceted approach is thus necessary to persuade HCWs to participate in a vaccination programme, especially in areas with low uptake rate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: K W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: To
authors.affiliation: Occupational Health Division, Ministry of Health, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.affiliation: Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: K C K
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: PAPRSB Institute of Health Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Negara Brunei Darussalam; SSH School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Koh
authors.affiliation: Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China. Electronic address: sslee@cuhk.edu.hk.
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006282:Health Personnel; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009656:North America; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines
keywords: Healthcare workers; Seasonal influenza; Vaccination; Vaccine uptake rate