title: Influenza vaccination in healthcare workers; comparison of side effects and preferred route of administration of intradermal versus intramuscular administration.
abstract: To explore the nature and severity of side effects and future preference of intradermal versus intramuscular influenza vaccination in healthcare workers.
  
  
  
  Prospective cohort study.
  
  
  
  Two University Medical Centers in The Netherlands.
  
  
  
  Healthcare workers receiving an influenza vaccination.
  
  
  
  Healthcare workers that were vaccinated during the influenza vaccination season of 2012-2013 were approached for participation in a questionnaire study. The questionnaire was divided into two parts. The first part had to be answered directly after vaccination and the second part two weeks after vaccination. The motivation for vaccine uptake, whether or not the HCWs had direct contact with patients and the prevalence and severity of local and systemic side effects of influenza vaccination were explored. In addition, it was assessed how participants experienced the vaccination and which type of administration they preferred for future vaccination.
  
  
  
  Side effects of vaccination were more prevalent in the intradermal group versus the intramuscular group (56% versus 26%, p<0.001). Local side effects were perceived as more severe in healthcare workers receiving the intradermal vaccine. Directly after vaccination, healthcare workers preferred the intradermal vaccination. Two weeks after vaccination both types of vaccine were equally appreciated.
  
  
  
  This study shows that there are significant differences in the nature and severity of side effects upon intramuscular and intradermal influenza vaccination. This difference did not result in a preference among the vaccinated subjects for one type of vaccine.
authors.affiliation: Perinatal Center, Wilhelmina Childs Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: woutermeijer@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Meijer
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: A M J
authors.initials: AMJ
authors.lastname: Wensing
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Health and Environment Services, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Bos
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J C F
authors.initials: JCF
authors.lastname: Kuiphuis
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Health and Environment Services, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: E M M
authors.initials: EMM
authors.lastname: Hagelen
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Wilschut
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Health, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M J T
authors.initials: MJT
authors.lastname: de Vries
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Riezebos-Brilman
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014611:Vaccination / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines
keywords: Health care workers; Influenza; Intradermal; Vaccine