Influenza vaccination among primary healthcare workers

Influenza vaccination of health care workers (HCW) is widely recommended, but immunization rates are low. In order to assess performance among primary HCW and identify barriers, we conducted a survey among the staff of 27 primary care community clinics in Jerusalem. The low rate of vaccination (30.2%) was in contrast with the large proportion of HCW who considered it desirable to immunize primary health clinic staff (72.1%). Physicians reported having been immunized significantly more (p=0.008) than the rest of the staff. They also had better knowledge and more favorable attitude towards immunization. Also associated (independently of profession) with performance of immunization were age (p<0.001), knowledge (that immunization can not cause influenza, p=0.051), attitude (the belief that it is desirable to immunize primary HCW, p<0.001), previous years' performance of immunization (p<0.001) and a physician's recommendation (p=0.042). A media scare which occurred during the vaccination period was reported to have influenced the decision not to get immunized of 34.1% of HCW who had not been immunized. The study results raise hope of prospective increase in vaccination through educational and technical interventions and by increasing physician involvement.