Flu Vaccination Remains High Among Health Care Workers

During the 2013-2014 flu season, 75.2% of all health care personnel (HCP) received the flu shot, according to a report published in the September 19, 2014, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The report evaluated the results from an Internet survey of 1882 HCP conducted from April 1 to 16, 2014.

The survey found that the percentage of HCP vaccinated increased slightly from the 72% coverage reported among HCP in the 2012-2013 season. Coverage with the vaccine was highest among HCP working in hospitals (89.6%) and lowest among those working in long-term care facilities (63%). When analyzed by occupation, vaccination rates were highest among physicians (92.2%), followed by nurses (90.5%), nurse practitioners and physician assistants (89.6%), pharmacists (85.7%), and other clinical personnel (87.4%).

Coverage rates were higher in settings where vaccination was required (97.8%) compared with settings where vaccination was not required but promoted (72.4%), and settings where vaccination was not required or promoted (47.9%). In addition, the results showed that among HCP who were not required to be vaccinated, coverage rates were higher among those who worked in settings where the shot was offered free on-site for 1 day (61.6%) or multiple days (80.4%).