Online-only articleBrief reportSupport for mandatory health care worker influenza vaccination among allied health professionals, technical staff, and medical students
Section snippets
Methods
Mount Sinai Medical Center is a large, academic medical center in New York City. Despite the rescinding of the statewide vaccine mandate, influenza vaccination is strongly encouraged among all employees, staff, and students. Annual vaccination is offered free at multiple venues through employee and student health programs. E-mail messages, posters, and newsletters encourage vaccination.
From May to July 2010, a cross-sectional survey study was performed to assess influenza vaccine uptake and
Results
Surveys were completed and returned by 416 individuals (116 AHP, 122 TS, and 178 MS) (Table 1). Among participants, 272 (65%) were female, 117 (28%) were married, and 236 (57%) were younger than 30 years. Mandatory HCW influenza vaccination was supported by 46% of AHP, 53% of TS, and 78% of MS. Self-reported seasonal vaccine uptake during the 2009–2010 season was 78%, 61%, and 87%, respectively.
Among AHP, belief in efficacy of HCW vaccination for self-protection and reducing infection risk to
Discussion
Opposition to mandatory HCW influenza vaccination remains a challenge in implementing mandatory vaccination policies. In this study, specific beliefs were associated with support for mandatory vaccination among a racially diverse group of AHP, TS, and MS. Understanding and addressing these beliefs may garner support for mandatory vaccination programs.
Consistent with the health beliefs model, beliefs regarding vaccine efficacy in preventing HCW infection and reducing influenza transmission to
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Study was funded through CDC/NIOSH Pilot Project Award No. T42OH008422 through the (NY/NJ) Universities Education and Research Center.
The data in the manuscript were presented, in part, as an Abstract at the Society of Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) 2011 Annual Scientific Meeting, March 2011, Dallas, TX.
Conflicts of interest: None to report.