Factors Influencing the Implementation of Flu Vaccination in Healthcare Professionals: Pros and Cons

Abstract

Introduction: Vaccination is the best method for microbial and viral infections prevention. Especially for health professionals, flu vaccination is the best method to protect them, and the same applies for the patients and the general population from being infected. One of the most important preventive measure is vaccination and the main types of vaccines available, the limitations and side effects are briefly presented.

Aim: The aim of this paper is to present the necessity of the healthcare professionals to conceptualize the importance of flu vaccination ifor themselves and the general population. Healthcare professionals are influenced by their knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs. Epidemiological surveys on this issue are presented for Greece, European Union, and the USA.

Methods: A broad scope literature review was conducted based on a strict selection process of articles referring to the general population and the healthcare professionals with emphasis on the time period from the fall of 2018 until the spring of 2020 across Greece. The method used in this research obtained information through bibliographical references throughout Europe, USA, and relevant studies in Greece.

Results: The results of this research indicated that influenza vaccination among healthcare professionals in Greece in the time period 2018-2019 was higher in primary health centers (PHCs) with a percentage of 43.8% than in Hospitals which was 30.6%. In addition, in the time period 2019-2020 flu vaccination among health professionals was higher in PHCs with a percentage of 57.9% rather than in Hospitals with a percentage of 38.8%. Specifically, flu vaccination rate which took place in hospitals was higher among physicians than in other healthcare personnel. Furthermore, the fundamental reasons for recommending flu vaccination in healthcare professionals are presented, and issues related to denial or acceptance of it are highlighted. Measures and strategies are proposed in order to increase flu vaccination coverage in healthcare facilities in Greece.

Conclusions: Based on this research review healthcare professionals (HCPs) especially the ones working in ICUs, in ICUs for newborn children, in Departments for acute care infections, in Departments caring of persons with immunodeficiency or Units for transplantation, Oncology and Haematology Departments, and finally, in Emergency Care Units need directly to be vaccinated for the flu virus. Different measures have been undertaken to promote flu vaccination and the percentage of implementation has been highlighted.

Keywords: Flu Vaccination; Healthcare Facilities; Healthcare Professionals; Types of Vaccines.

Figure 1.. Number of cases in ICU per week in patients with positively diagnosed influenza. Total number of cases in Greece per week 40/2018 till week 20/2019 (13–19 May 2019). Total number of declared cases until the week 20/2019: 374 (6).

Figure 2.. Average number of percentage (%) of vaccinated healthcare professionals in comparison with the totality of healthcare personnel working in Hospitals and Primary Healthcare Centers in the last two periods of influenza in Greece, time periods 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 (6, 21).

Figure 3.. Average number of percentage (%) of vaccinated healthcare personnel in high risk departments in Hospitals in Greece, time period 2019-2020 (21).