Factors influencing flu vaccination in a large Italian teaching hospital

Background: Annual flu vaccination among healthcare workers (HCWs) is recommended to prevent influenza and to avoid its transmission. In our teaching hospital, flu vaccination rate among HCWs is lower than 10%. During the 2017-18 influenza season, different strategies were adopted to increase flu vaccination coverage. The aim of this study was to identify strategies and variables involved in determining the flu vaccination coverage rate among HCWs of a large Italian teaching hospital. Methods: During the 2017-18 influenza season, on site vaccination plus academic detailing strategies were adopted in almost half of hospital units to increase knowledge, attitudes and vaccination coverage rate on influenza among HCWs. At the end of the 2017-18 season, a cross-sectional study was carried out on all HCWs employed in the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” (FPG) hospital of Roma (Italy) to determine the flu vaccination coverage. Socio-demographic and occupational data of HCWs were collected from hospital personnel records and included age, gender, previous flu vaccination during the 2016-17, profession and workplace unit. Results: A total of 4111 HCWs employed in the FPG were included. Flu vaccination rate increased from 8.7% in the 2016-17 to 13% in the 2017-18 (+48.5%, p < 0.0001). The multivariate analysis showed that at the end of the 2017-18 season coverage was generally higher among HCWs involved in the on site plus academic detailing intervention (OR 2.70; 95 CI 2.15-3.39), physicians, older and previously vaccinated HCWs. Among nurses, males were more inclined to undergo vaccination. Among physicians, workers in surgical areas had lower vaccination rates. The results are preliminary. Conclusions: Our results show that the on site vaccination plus academic detailing intervention is an effective strategy to increase flu vaccination coverage in our hospital. Socio-demographic and occupational variables can significantly influence acceptance of the influenza vaccine. Key messages: Annual flu vaccination among healthcare workers is recommended. Socio-demographic and occupational variables can significantly influence acceptance of the influenza vaccine. The present study enhances the flu vaccination knowledge and attitudes among HCWs and accentuates the importance of implementing annual flu vaccination strategies to increase the coverage in hospital.