Giuseppe Di Martino1, Pamela Di Giovanni2, Arturo Di Girolamo3, Piera Scampoli4, Fabrizio Cedrone4, Michela D'Addezio4, Francesca Meo4, Ferdinando Romano5, Maria Bernadette Di Sciascio3, Tommaso Staniscia1. 1. Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy. 2. Department of Pharmacy, "G. d'Annunzio" University Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy. 3. Unit of Quality and Risk Management, ASL Lanciano-Vasto-Chieti, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy. 4. School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, "G. d'Annunzio" University Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy. 5. Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, "La Sapienza" University of Rome, P.zza Aldo Moro 5, 00100 Rome, Italy.
Abstract
Background: In Italy, the loss of confidence towards vaccination resulted in low vaccine coverage, also among healthcare workers (HCWs). Indeed, low vaccination coverage among HCWs can lead to dangerous outbreaks of disease, reduce productivity, and increase absenteeism. The aim of this study was to investigate the vaccine coverage and attitudes toward vaccination among HCWs. Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs referred to all hospitals of the Local Health Authority 02 of Abruzzo Region, Italy. The survey was based on the questionnaire proposed by the H-ProImmune Project. Results: A total of 347 HCWs were enrolled in the study. Of these, 57.3% reported missing diphtheritis-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccination, 50.1% reported missing measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination, and 62.5% reported missing flu vaccination. Regarding attitudes, other healthcare professionals reported to believe more in natural immunization compared to vaccination (26.5%; p < 0.001), and they were worried about long-term effects of vaccination (10.2%; p = 0.044). Conclusions: This survey showed all vaccination coverage considered resulted below the 95% threshold. Training on vaccination and mandatory measures may be needed in order to achieve better coverage.
Background: In Italy, the loss of confidence towards vaccination resulted in low vaccine coverage, also among healthcare workers (HCWs). Indeed, low vaccination coverage among HCWs can lead to dangerous outbreaks of disease, reduce productivity, and increase absenteeism. The aim of this study was to investigate the vaccine coverage and attitudes toward vaccination among HCWs. Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs referred to all hospitals of the Local Health Authority 02 of Abruzzo Region, Italy. The survey was based on the questionnaire proposed by the H-ProImmune Project. Results: A total of 347 HCWs were enrolled in the study. Of these, 57.3% reported missing diphtheritis-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccination, 50.1% reported missing measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination, and 62.5% reported missing flu vaccination. Regarding attitudes, other healthcare professionals reported to believe more in natural immunization compared to vaccination (26.5%; p < 0.001), and they were worried about long-term effects of vaccination (10.2%; p = 0.044). Conclusions: This survey showed all vaccination coverage considered resulted below the 95% threshold. Training on vaccination and mandatory measures may be needed in order to achieve better coverage.
Authors: Bartosz Szmyd; Filip Franciszek Karuga; Adrian Bartoszek; Katarzyna Staniecka; Natalia Siwecka; Agnieszka Bartoszek; Maciej Błaszczyk; Maciej Radek Journal: Vaccines (Basel) Date: 2021-03-04