Knowledge, perception and coverage rates regarding influenza vaccination among nursing Staff

Background. Healthcare workers, having a close and direct contact with patients, are exposed to influenza virus infection in the workplace, and may become a source of infection for patients, many of whom belong to high risk groups for the serious and complicated course of the disease.

Objectives. The aim of this study was to determine the status of vaccination against influenza among a nursing staff in the 2013/2014 season, and to describe the drivers and barriers for an influenza vaccination.

Material and methods. A questionnaire fulfilled by 461 respondents, a nursing staff from outpatient settings and hospitals.

Results. Only 15% of respondents declared they had flu shots in the consecutive seasons. Nurses working in outpatient settings significantly more often than employees of hospitals had flu shots. The most often drivers for influenza vaccination were: a fear of the illness and its complications (97%), an access to a free of charge vaccination at work (87%). Among barriers for influenza vaccination the most often mentioned were: a lack of the reimbursement of vaccination (75%), concerns regarding the efficacy of the vaccine (54%). The most of respondents (66%) found the influenza vaccine as an ethical obligation of medical personnel.

Conclusions. The influenza vaccine coverage rate among a nursing staff is very low. More educational activities should be conducted and directed to nurses. An easy and free of charge access to the influenza vaccine is an important factor for the increasing influenza vaccination coverage rates among health care workers.