CDC: Flu Shot Coverage of Health Care Personnel Increasing

THURSDAY, Sept. 26 (HealthDay News) -- Influenza vaccination coverage has increased among health care personnel but varies by occupation type and occupational setting, according to a report published in the Sept. 27 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Stacie M. Greby, D.V.M., of the CDC in Atlanta, and colleagues surveyed 1,944 self-selected health care personnel during the first two weeks of April 2013 to estimate their rate of influenza vaccination.

The researchers found that overall coverage had increased to 72 percent, from the 66.9 percent reported during the 2012 season. Coverage was 92.3 percent among physicians, 89.1 percent among pharmacists, and 84.8 percent among nurses. Coverage was highest among those working in hospitals, and lowest, at 58.9 percent, among health care personnel working in long-term care facilities. Vaccination was more common in settings where flu shots were offered free and on-site for multiple days.

"Widespread implementation of comprehensive influenza vaccination strategies that focus on improving access to vaccination services is needed to improve health care personnel vaccination coverage," the authors write.

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