[The seasonal flu vaccination among caregivers in geriatric units: Up-to-date].
BACKGROUND
Flu vaccinations for healthcare professionals seems to be one of the most effective preventive actions in the face of a disease that carries a high risk of a potentially serious nosocomial epidemic in a geriatric environment. The aim of this study was to take stock of the flu vaccination status among caregivers in the geriatric units and to understand the reasons for their reluctance to be vaccinated, in order to put forward proposals to improve vaccination coverage.


METHODS
A literature search of articles published since 2000 in the area of geriatrics, infectious diseases or pneumology was mainly conducted on PubMed using the keywords "caregivers", "elderly", "flu", "influenza", "nosocomial" and "vaccination". After reading all abstracts in English or French and ruling out irrelevant articles, only 64 relevant articles have been listed in bibliography section.


RESULTS
Despite official recommendations, the literature reveals insufficient vaccination coverage of healthcare personnel at both the national and international level. Vaccination coverage seems to be lower among younger female non-medical staff. The factors that determine the likelihood of vaccination are the wish to protect one's self, one's family and patients/residents, as well as the experience of earlier bouts of flu. Factors that oppose vaccination are complex and related to the fear of side effects, the use of other preventive measures, the feeling that vaccination is ineffective, poor understanding of the disease and the vaccine, forgetfulness and problems of organization. Campaigns to promote vaccination that target healthcare professionals must be multidimensional and very incentive. The pedagogical message must be centered on the benefits to the individual and adjusted to socio-professional categories. Mobile strategies in the different departments to encourage staff are a pragmatic solution to this challenge. The referring doctor has an essential role to play, as does the occupational doctor in association with the hospital hygiene services.


CONCLUSIONS
Flu vaccinations must be included in the education and training of caregivers.
Service de médecine A, centre hospitalier de Langres, 10, rue de la Charité, 52200 Langres, France.
E
E
Contal
Service de médecine interne gériatrie, hôpital de Champmaillot, CHU, BP 87909, 2, rue Jules-Violle, 21079 Dijon cedex, France.
A
A
Putot
Service de médecine interne gériatrie, hôpital de Champmaillot, CHU, BP 87909, 2, rue Jules-Violle, 21079 Dijon cedex, France.
M
M
Dipanda
Service de médecine interne gériatrie, hôpital de Champmaillot, CHU, BP 87909, 2, rue Jules-Violle, 21079 Dijon cedex, France.
S
S
Perrin
Service de médecine interne gériatrie, hôpital de Champmaillot, CHU, BP 87909, 2, rue Jules-Violle, 21079 Dijon cedex, France.
S
S
Asgassou
Service de médecine interne gériatrie, hôpital de Champmaillot, CHU, BP 87909, 2, rue Jules-Violle, 21079 Dijon cedex, France.
H
H
Sordet-Guépet
Service de médecine interne gériatrie, hôpital de Champmaillot, CHU, BP 87909, 2, rue Jules-Violle, 21079 Dijon cedex, France; Inserm U1093 cognition, action, et plasticité sensorimotrice, université de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, UFR STAPS, 21078 Dijon, France. Electronic address: patrick.manckoundia@chu-dijon.fr.
P
P
Manckoundia
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D017028:Caregivers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005853:Geriatrics; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D012621:Seasons; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000078329:Workforce
D007252:Influenza Vaccines
Caregivers; Flu; Geriatrics; Grippe; Gériatrie; Influenza; Personnel soignant; Vaccination; Virus influenza