Factors influencing participation in a rubella vaccination program

During the course of a 7-day voluntary rubella vaccination program conducted at a large community-teaching hospital, 718 hospital workers were vaccinated, an overall vaccination rate of 29%. During and after the vaccination campaign, physicians, employees, and students were surveyed as to their reasons for accepting or rejecting rubella vaccine. Prior to the campaign few hospital workers realized that rubella vaccination was of importance in their case. Although paycheck notices, newsletters, and poster displays were all effective in publicizing the campaign, hospital workers most frequently cited discussions with other workers as the major factor leading to their acceptance of vaccination. The belief that a history of rubella, diagnosed clinically, was adequate assurance of immunity was common among physicians and employees and was the major obstacle to greater success in the campaign. Vaccine reactions were infrequent and mild and did not lead to excessive employee absenteeism.