Influenza resources for professionals

ICES Reports: What to Do to Beat the Flu? Improving Influenza Vaccination Rates among Healthcare Workers

Many healthcare facilities are struggling to improve vaccination rates among their staff. Influenza vaccination rates for healthcare workers remain low in many healthcare facilities - despite the best efforts of the facilities, as well as an increased risk of infection among healthcare workers compared to the general population and the potential to transmit influenza to patients that could lead to serious consequences.

Organizations often aim to improve vaccination rates by focusing their efforts on educating staff about influenza, the vaccine and its benefits. While this effort likely has some positive influence, previous studies have shown that there is little difference in the level of related knowledge between vaccinated and unvaccinated staff, except for the belief that vaccination can result in influenza. Other research has found an inconsistent relationship between knowledge, attitudes and behaviour. Given these findings, further education may not improve coverage. This article reports on a research study that uses a more current model of health behaviour to identify potential challenges and opportunities for improving vaccination rates among staff. (Manuel et al. 2002) A self-administered questionnaire and focus groups were used to examine the health behaviour and attitudes associated with influenza vaccination in healthcare workers.