Vaccination Against Influenza: Attitude of Health Care Personnel in a Multidisciplinary Hospital in Latvia

• Main Authors: Vīksna Ludmila, Vilcāns Mārtiņš, Zeltiņa Indra, Leidere-Reine Aija, Krūmiņa Angelika, Koļesova Oksana, Ļeviņa Jeļena, Koļesovs Aleksandrs
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sciendo 2019-08-01
• Series: Proceedings of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Section B, Natural Sciences
• Subjects: influenza; vaccination; attitude; primary control; secondary control
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.2478/prolas-2019-0063

Health care personnel (HCP) are at high risk of acquiring influenza due to exposure to patients. However, vaccination in HCP is lower than 40% for most European countries. The aim of this study was to determine the attitude towards influenza vaccination and possible reasons for this attitude in HCP. A cross-sectional study was performed in a multidisciplinary hospital of Latvia. The sample (n = 1099) included doctors (239), nurses (418), care services (236), administrative staff (108), and technical support staff (98). Five questions addressed vaccination of planned patients and HCP, knowledge of etiological anti-influenza drugs, and their storage at the hospital for immediate use. The results revealed that the level of regular vaccination against influenza in HCP was relatively low (14%). This contrasted with a more positive attitude towards vaccination of patients (53%) and personnel (60%). This contrast provided evidence for a low level of proactive action. High expectations regarding medications covered by the hospital (82%) indicated transferring of part of personal responsibility to the organisation. Doctors demonstrated a better understanding of the problem and a higher level of vaccination. However, some of doctors’ attitudes showed underestimation of influenza-associated risk.