Achieving optimal influenza vaccination rates: a survey-based study of healthcare workers in an urban hospital

In the USA, more than 36000 deaths and 114000 hospitalisations result from the influenza virus annually. Healthcare workers have been identified as a key source of influenza outbreaks. Despite Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations to vaccinate all healthcare workers, the rate remains low. A survey-based investigation of influenza vaccination rates and related factors was carried out in an urban community teaching medical centre. A total of 570 surveys revealed a 56.5% influenza vaccination rate among participants. Participants who received the vaccine had a significantly higher mean influenza knowledge score compared to those who did not receive the vaccine (P= 0.003). Also, a relationship was identified between those who received the vaccine and the perception that the purpose of the vaccine is to prevent patients from being exposed to influenza (P = 0.001). Lastly, hospital departments in which managers actively encouraged and facilitated vaccination had higher rates in general. (C) 2008 The Hospital Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.