Influenza, hepatitis B, and tetanus vaccination coverage among health care personnel in the United States

• Published in: American journal of infection control 2011-08, Vol.39 (6), p.488-494
• Main Authors: Lu, Peng-jun, MD, PhD, Euler, Gary L., MPH, DrPH
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Attitude of Health Personnel; Biological and medical sciences; Disease prevention; Disease transmission; Epidemiology. Vaccinations; Female; General aspects; Health Personnel; health-care personnel; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B Vaccines - administration & dosage; Human viral diseases; Humans; Immunization; Infection Control; Infectious Disease; Infectious diseases; Influenza; Influenza Vaccines - administration & dosage; Male; Medical personnel; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Tetanus; Tetanus Toxoid - administration & dosage; United States; Vaccination - statistics & numerical data; vaccination coverage; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the respiratory system and ent viral diseases; Viral hepatitis; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0196-6553; 1527-3296
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2010.10.009

Background Health care personnel (HCP) are at risk for exposure to and possible transmission of vaccine-preventable diseases. Maintenance of immunity is an essential prevention practice for HCP. We assessed the recent influenza, hepatitis B, and tetanus vaccination coverage among HCP in the United States. Methods We analyzed data from the 2007 National Immunization Survey-Adult restricted to survey respondents aged 18 to 64 years. Influenza, hepatitis B, and tetanus vaccination coverage levels among HCP were assessed. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to assess factors independently associated with receipt of vaccination among HCP. Results Among HCP aged 18 to 64 years, 46.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 39.6%-53.8%) had received influenza vaccination for the 2006-2007 season, and 70.4% (95% CI: 63.9%-76.1%) received tetanus vaccination in the past 10 years; 61.7% (95% CI: 52.5%-70.2%) had received 3 or more doses of hepatitis B vaccination among HCP aged 18 to 49 years. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that being married was associated with influenza vaccination coverage, higher education level was associated with hepatitis B vaccination coverage, and younger age was significantly associated with tetanus vaccination among HCP. Among those HCP who did not receive influenza vaccination, the most common reason reported was respondent concerns about vaccine safety and adverse effects. Conclusion By 2007, influenza and hepatitis B vaccination coverage among HCP remained well below the Healthy People 2010 objectives. Tetanus vaccination level was 70%, and this study provided a baseline data for tetanus vaccination among HCP. Innovative strategies are needed to further increase vaccination coverage among HCP.