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Influenza Vaccination of Healthcare Workers in the United States, 1989-2002

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 June 2016

Frances J. Walker ,
James A. Singleton ,
Pengjun Lu ,
Karen G. Wooten  and
Raymond A. Strikas
Frances J. Walker*
Affiliation:
National Immunization Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
James A. Singleton
Affiliation:
National Immunization Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
Pengjun Lu
Affiliation:
National Immunization Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
Karen G. Wooten
Affiliation:
National Immunization Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
Raymond A. Strikas
Affiliation:
National Immunization Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
*
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop E-47, Atlanta, GA30333 ([email protected])
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Abstract

Objectives.

We sought to estimate influenza vaccination coverage among healthcare workers (HCWs) in the United States during 1989-2002 and to identify factors associated with vaccination in this group. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends annual influenza vaccination for HCWs to reduce transmission of influenza to patients at high risk for serious complications of influenza.

Design.

Analysis of cross-sectional data from 1989-2002 surveys conducted by the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). The outcome measure was self-reported influenza vaccination in the past 12 months. Bivariate and multivariate analysis of 2002 NHIS data.

Setting.

Household interviews conducted during 1989-2002, weighted to reflect the noninstitutionalized, civilian US population.

Participants.

Adults aged 18 years or older participated in the study. A total of 2,089 were employed in healthcare occupations or settings in 2002, and 17,160 were employed in nonhealthcare occupations or settings.

Results.

The influenza vaccination rate among US HCWs increased from 10.0% in 1989 to 38.4% in 2002, with no significant change since 1997. In a multivariate model that included data from the 2002 NHIS, factors associated with a higher rate of influenza vaccination among HCWs aged 18-64 years included age of 50 years or older (odds ratio [OR], 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-2.1), hospital employee status (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.2-1.9), 1 or more visits to the office of a healthcare professional in the past 12 months (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1-2.2), receipt of employer-provided health insurance (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1-2.1), a history of pneumococcal vaccination (OR, 3.9; 95% CI, 2.5-6.1), and history of hepatitis B vaccination (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.4-2.4). Non-Hispanic black persons were less likely to be vaccinated (OR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.5-0.9) than non-Hispanic white persons. There were no significant differences in vaccination levels according to HCW occupation category.

Conclusions.

Influenza immunization among HCWs reached a plateau during 1997-2002. New strategies are needed to encourage US HCWs to receive influenza vaccination to prevent influenza illness in themselves and transmission of influenza to vulnerable patients.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 27 , Issue 3 , March 2006 , pp. 257 - 265
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2006

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