Predictors of acceptance of H1N1 influenza vaccination by FDNY firefighters and EMS workers

• Published in: Vaccine 2011-08, Vol.29 (34), p.5675-5680
• Main Authors: Glaser, Michelle S, Chui, Sydney, Webber, Mayris P, Gustave, Jackson, Lee, Roy, McLaughlin, Mary T, Ortiz, Viola, Prezant, David, Kelly, Kerry
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Allergy and Immunology; Applied microbiology; Biological and medical sciences; Emergency medical services; Female; fire fighters; Firefighters; Fires; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; H1N1 vaccination; Health care workers; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health services; Humans; Illnesses; Influenza; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype - immunology; Influenza Vaccines - administration & dosage; Influenza, Human - prevention & control; labor force; Male; Medical databases; Medical records; Microbiology; Middle Aged; Miscellaneous; monitoring; New York; Nosocomial infections; Occupational health; Pandemics; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Patient Compliance; Population; Seasons; Swine flu; United States; Vaccination; Vaccines; Vaccines, antisera, therapeutical immunoglobulins and monoclonal antibodies (general aspects); Virology
• ISSN: 0264-410X; 1873-2518
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.06.008

Abstract Background There is a widely recognized need for vaccination of health care workers (HCWs). We undertook this study to assess the 2009–2010 H1N1 vaccination rates in ∼14,000 firefighters and emergency medical service (EMS) workers at the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) and to determine predictors of H1N1 vaccine acceptance. Methods After 9/11/01, FDNY developed a bio-preparedness drill where units are dispatched to FDNY-BIOPOD (biologic points of distributions) for rapid distribution of medications/vaccines in the event of a biological disaster. Since 2005, FDNY offers free, voluntary seasonal influenza vaccination during routine medical monitoring/treatment examinations and at FDNY-BIOPOD. In 2009, FDNY-BIOPOD instead offered the H1N1 vaccine. We report on FDNY H1N1 vaccination rates and on predictors of acceptance using bivariate and multivariable techniques. Results Overall, 10,612 (77%) FDNY workers were offered H1N1 vaccination, of whom 5831 (55%) accepted. Acceptance was 57.2% during FDNY-BIOPOD compared with 34.4% during medical monitoring/treatment exams ( p = 0.0001). Workers who accepted prior seasonal influenza vaccinations were 4 times more likely to accept H1N1 vaccination (AOR = 4.4, CI95 = 4.0–4.8). Conclusion FDNY offered H1N1 vaccination to 77% of its workforce during the 2009–2010 season. Prior seasonal vaccine acceptance and vaccination in a group setting such as FDNY-BIOPOD dramatically increased acceptance of the H1N1 vaccine. However, within a voluntary program, additional strategies are needed to further increase vaccine acceptance in first responders and other HCWs.