[Low influenza vaccination coverage rate among hospital employees]

To assess the influenza vaccine coverage rate among employees of Dutch hospitals in 2012.

Observational questionnaire study.

Sixty-two Dutch hospitals that were affiliated to a sick-leave registration office were asked to report the number of employees who had received the annual influenza vaccination via their employer in 2012. They also received a questionnaire concerning vaccination policy in their hospital.

Forty-five hospitals were willing to participate in the study (response rate: 73%). The median vaccination coverage rate was 13% (range: 2-33).

The influenza vaccination coverage rate among employees of Dutch hospitals is very low. As it is likely that vaccinating healthcare workers against influenza can reduce transmission of influenza to vulnerable patients, investigation into how the vaccine coverage rate can be increased is recommended.