title: Vaccinating healthcare workers: Level of implementation, barriers and proposal for evidence-based policies in Turkey.
abstract: The role of healthcare workers in life-long vaccination is very important in the means of 2 sided infection, rising patient awareness and being a role model for the patients. Numerous organizations publish guidelines for vaccination of HCWs, while healthcare facilities develop vaccination policies according to the accreditation standards. Nevertheless, vaccination rates among HCWs are far below targets. The obstacles to getting vaccinated or recommending vaccination may include rather universal factors such as the vaccine paradox, however in the case of HCWs, probably a different set of factors are included. The aims of this article are to gain an overview of vaccination strategies for HCWs, to assess the coverage rates of HCWs and make in-depth analyses of the potential barriers to vaccination and potential factors to motivate HCWs for vaccination in Turkey and to compare them with the global picture to improve implementation of policies concerning vaccination of HCWs.
authors.affiliation: a Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine , Department of Internal Medicine , Ankara , Turkey.
authors.forename: Lale
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ozisik
authors.affiliation: a Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine , Department of Internal Medicine , Ankara , Turkey.
authors.forename: Mine Durusu
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Tanriover
authors.affiliation: b TRPHARM İlaç Sanayi Tic. A.Ş. , Istanbul , Turkey.
authors.forename: Serdar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Altınel
authors.affiliation: c Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine , Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology , Ankara , Turkey.
authors.forename: Serhat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Unal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D014421:Turkey; D014611:Vaccination / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D000073887:Vaccination Coverage / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D014612:Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D014612:Vaccines
keywords: adult vaccination; barriers; healthcare workers; immunization policies; vaccination