Improving Influenza Vaccination Coverage among Healthcare Workers
Keywords:
Influenza, Vaccination, Healthcare Workers, Interventional Studies, Vaccination Coverage, Public HealthAbstract
Introduction:
Influenza poses a significant threat to public health, with healthcare workers (HCWs) being both potential transmitters and victims of the virus. Despite the availability of vaccines, vaccination coverage among HCWs is often below the desired level. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of interventional strategies implemented in the last five years up to 2022 to increase influenza vaccination coverage among healthcare workers.
Methods:
A comprehensive search was conducted in electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, focusing on interventional studies and clinical trials published in English. The inclusion criteria targeted studies that reported on interventions aimed at increasing influenza vaccination rates among HCWs. The effectiveness of these interventions was assessed by analyzing risk ratios and percentage increases in vaccination coverage, along with their confidence intervals.
Results:
Eight studies were included, showing a range of interventions from educational campaigns, on-site vaccination access, reminders via email and text, to mandatory vaccination policies. Sample sizes varied from 50 to over 1,000 participants. Interventions led to increases in vaccination coverage with risk ratios ranging from 1.15 to 2.12. Educational and access interventions reported vaccination rate increases from 30% to 60%, while mandatory policies saw increases from 64% to 93%. The most effective strategies combined multiple approaches, leading to the highest observed increases in vaccination rates.
Conclusions:
The review demonstrates that multifaceted interventions are most effective in increasing influenza vaccination coverage among healthcare workers. Implementing a combination of educational programs, easy vaccine access, reminders, and, in some contexts, mandatory policies can significantly enhance vaccination rates. These findings provide valuable insights for healthcare administrators and policymakers aiming to improve vaccination coverage and public health outcomes.
