Low rates of influenza vaccination uptake among healthcare workers: Distinguishing barriers between occupational groups

Abstract

Background: To gain further insights into health care workers (HCWs) attitudes toward influenza vaccination to guide future interventions to increase vaccination rates.

Methods: A standardized anonymous questionnaire was sent to all employees of the University Hospital Basel, Switzerland following the influenza season 2013/2014. We collected information regarding HCW's demographics, experiences with flu vaccinations, and reasons for nonvaccination.

Results: Vaccination rates ranged from 14.7% to 31% from 2007 to 2019. A total of 1,454 HCW participated in the survey, of which 62% reported being vaccinated. HCW not vaccinated were more commonly female and differed by occupational group and department. The main reasons for nonvaccination were fear of short-term adverse reactions, followed by assessing the evidence regarding vaccination-benefits as insufficient and fears of violation of the right to self-determination. Fear of long-term sequela and violation of the right of self-determination differed between the 4 professional groups, both being most commonly indicated by nurses and at least indicated by physicians.

Conclusions: This study provides some insight into differences regarding barriers to vaccination between different occupational groups, which might not have been adequately addressed so far. Policy makers should consider such differences when designing campaigns to raise acceptance of influenza vaccine among HCWs.

Keywords: Flu; Influenza; Occupation; Vaccine.