Monitoring influenza vaccination coverage among healthcare workers during Covid-19 pandemic: a three-year survey in a large University Hospital in North-West Italy
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Keywords

influenza vaccination, healthcare workers, vaccination coverage, Covid-19 pandemic, vaccination strategies

Abstract

Introduction. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are one of the highest priority group recommended for seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV). A greater awareness of influenza vaccination importance among HCWs was observed after the arrival of Covid-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to analyze SIV coverage rate in the 2019-2020, 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 seasons among HCWs employed within the IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino in Genoa, in order to observe how acceptance has changed before and during Covid-19 pandemic.

Methods. The vaccinated population was stratified by gender, age, job and area and the characteristics of vaccinated HCWs was analyzed.

Results. The observed SIV coverage was below the recommended target for all seasons, but a sharp increase was observed in the 2020/2021 (12.8%; 40.9%; 23% for 2019/2020, 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 season, respectively). There was an increase in the mean and median age in the 2020/2021 vaccination campaign (46.7 and 49, respectively), comparing to the 2019/2020 season (43.5 and 45 respectively). A higher proportion of vaccinated physician in the 2019/2020 and 2021/2022 season was found. The proportions of vaccinated females were constantly higher than vaccinated males. A higher representation of vaccinated subjects working in medical areas was observed, but over the three-years the most evident increase in proportion of vaccinees was found for subjects from the services area.

Conclusions. This survey highlights the importance of studying the determinants that influenced vaccination adherence and how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected SIV coverage.

https://doi.org/10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2022.63.3.2700
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