Influenza vaccination coverage among health care personnel--United States, 2013-14 influenza season

Abstract

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends that all health care personnel (HCP) be vaccinated annually against influenza. Vaccination of HCP can reduce influenza-related morbidity and mortality among both HCP and their patients. To estimate influenza vaccination coverage among HCP during the 2013-14 season, CDC analyzed results of an opt-in Internet panel survey of 1,882 HCP conducted during April 1-16, 2014. Overall, 75.2% of participating HCP reported receiving an influenza vaccination during the 2013-14 season, similar to the 72.0% coverage among participating HCP reported in the 2012-13 season. Coverage was highest among HCP working in hospitals (89.6%) and lowest among HCP working in long-term care (LTC) settings (63.0%). By occupation, coverage was highest among physicians (92.2%), nurses (90.5%), nurse practitioners and physician assistants (89.6%), pharmacists (85.7%), and "other clinical personnel" (87.4%) compared with assistants and aides (57.7%) and nonclinical personnel (e.g., administrators, clerical support workers, janitors, and food service workers) (68.6%). HCP working in settings where vaccination was required had higher coverage (97.8%) compared with HCP working in settings where influenza vaccination was not required but promoted (72.4%) or settings where there was no requirement or promotion of vaccination (47.9%). Among HCP without an employer requirement for vaccination, coverage was higher for HCP working in settings where vaccination was offered on-site at no cost for 1 day (61.6%) or multiple days (80.4%) compared with HCP working in settings not offering free on-site vaccination (49.0%). Comprehensive vaccination strategies that include making vaccine available at no cost at the workplace along with active promotion of vaccination might be needed to increase vaccination coverage among HCP and minimize the risk for influenza to HCP and their patients.

FIGURE

Percentage of health-care personnel (HCP)* who received influenza vaccination, by work setting and occupation type — Internet panel survey, United States, 2010–11 through 2013–14 influenza seasons * Persons who work in a place where clinical care or related services were provided to patients, or whose work involves face-to-face contact with patients or who were ever in the same room as patients. ^† Ambulatory care (physician’s office, medical clinic, and other ambulatory care setting). ^§ Dentist’s office or dental clinic, pharmacy, laboratory, public health setting, health care education setting, emergency medical services setting, or other setting where clinical care or related services was provided to patients. ^¶ Included dentists for 2010–11 season. ** Individual data on pharmacists not collected before the 2012–13 season. ^†† Allied health professionals, technicians, and technologists. Includes pharmacists for the 2010–11 and 2011–12 seasons. ^§§ Administrative support staff or managers and nonclinical support staff (e.g., food service workers, housekeeping staff, maintenance staff, janitors, and laundry workers).