Prevalence and Determinants of Flu Vaccination in a Working Population

Abstract

Introduction: Influenza viruses are highly contagious. Frequently, new strains of influenza are identified. Influenza vaccination is the most effective way of influenza prevention. Numerous jobs experience a risk of occupational exposure to influenza; this may conduct to the transmission of the infection to other people and coworkers. The aim is to determine influenza vaccination rates and factors, which influence the vaccination decision regarding a working population exposed to variable contamination risks. Methodology: A cross sectional survey was conducted during 2015-2016’s influenza vaccination campaign. The study concerns a representative sample of a population of 50,000 workers belonging to a large distribution of occupational branches. Workers were asked, during their occupational medical examination, to complete a brief questionnaire containing a list of reasons for either being vaccinated or not. The number of contacts with people during work, which is supposedly influencing the flu contamination, was also taken into account. Results: The annual influenza vaccination rate was quite low for all groups of workers. But the intention to receive vaccination was twice higher for the most exposed group, which may be subject to contamination during work. One of their most common reasons for not being vaccinated was to have a good health and not feeling concerned by flu. The main reason given about immunization against the flu was in order to avoid contamination by family or co-workers. Discussion: The low rate of flu vaccination indicated that most of workers were susceptible to infection. International data shows highly variable vaccination rates. The most important tool regarding the decision making of performing influenza vaccination could be related to internal and external communications. The low coverage achieved is an occupational and public health problem. This finding confirms the importance of a comprehensive approach towards the influenza vaccination, ensuring that workers are correctly informed about flu vaccine.