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Use of, Effectiveness of, and Attitudes Regarding Influenza Vaccine Among House Staff

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Richard T. Lester ,
Allison McGeer ,
George Tomlinson  and
Allan S. Detsky
Richard T. Lester
Affiliation:
Departments of Medicine and Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Shared Department of Microbiology, Toronto Medical Laboratories and the Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Allison McGeer*
Affiliation:
Departments of Medicine and Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Shared Department of Microbiology, Toronto Medical Laboratories and the Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
George Tomlinson
Affiliation:
Departments of Medicine and Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Shared Department of Microbiology, Toronto Medical Laboratories and the Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Allan S. Detsky
Affiliation:
Departments of Medicine and Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Shared Department of Microbiology, Toronto Medical Laboratories and the Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
*
Mount Sinai Hospital, Room 1460, 600 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1X5
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Abstract

Objective:

To determine influenza vaccination rates, vaccine effectiveness, and factors influencing vaccination decisions among house staff.

Design:

Cross-sectional survey.

Setting and Participants:

All residents registered at the University of Toronto were surveyed after the 1999-2000 influenza season. Of the 1,159 questionnaires mailed, 670 (58%) could be evaluated.

Results:

Influenza-like illnesses were reported by 36% of house staff. The vaccination rate was 51% among respondents, being highest for community and occupational medicine and pediatric staff (77% and 75%) and lowest for psychiatry, surgery, and radiology staff (32%, 36%, and 36%). Vaccinees reported significantly fewer episodes of illness (42 vs 54 per 100 subjects; P = .03) and fewer days of illness (272 vs 374 per 100 subjects; P = .02); absenteeism was not different (63 vs 69 per 100 subjects; P = .69). Self-protection was the most common reason for vaccination. Vaccinees believed the vaccine was more effective than did non-vaccinees (P < .01). Non-vaccinees considered influenza-like symptoms the most important side effect of the vaccine. Busy schedules and inconvenience were the most common reasons for not getting vaccinated. Overall, 44% of house staff believed the influenza vaccine should be mandatory.

Conclusions:

Influenza-like illness was common among house staff. They tended to work through their illnesses, potentially putting patients at risk. They were motivated mostly by self-protection and did report a benefit. Despite busy schedules and an unfounded fear of getting influenza symptoms from the vaccine, many thought the vaccine should be mandatory.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 24 , Issue 11 , November 2003 , pp. 839 - 844
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2003

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