Seasonal influenza vaccination predicts pandemic H1N1 vaccination uptake among healthcare workers in three countries.

The aim of this study was to identify the common barriers and facilitators for acceptance of pandemic influenza vaccination across different countries. This study utilized a standardized, anonymous, self-completed questionnaire-based survey recording the demographics and professional practice, previous experience and perceived risk and severity of influenza, infection control practices, information of H1N1 vaccination, acceptance of the H1N1 vaccination and reasons of their choices and opinions on mandatory vaccination. Hospital-based doctors, nurses and allied healthcare workers in Hong Kong (HK), Singapore (SG) and Leicester, United Kingdom (UK) were recruited. A total of 6318 (HK: 5743, SG: 300, UK: 275) questionnaires were distributed, with response rates of 27.1% (HK), 94.7% (SG) and 94.5% (UK). The uptake rates for monovalent 2009 pandemic H1N1 vaccine were 13.5% (HK), 36.2% (SG) and 41.3% (UK). The single common factor associated with vaccine acceptance across all sites was having seasonal influenza vaccination in 2009. In UK and HK, overestimation of side effect reduced vaccination acceptance; and fear of side effect was a significant barrier in all sites. In HK, healthcare workers with more patient contact were more reluctant to accept vaccination. Drivers for vaccination in UK and HK were concern about catching the infection and following advice from health authority. Only a small proportion of respondents agreed with mandatory pandemic influenza vaccination (HK: 25% and UK: 42%), except in Singapore where 75.3% were in agreement. Few respondents (<5%) chose scientific publications as their primary source of information, but this group was more likely to receive vaccination. The acceptance of pandemic vaccine among healthcare workers was poor (13-41% of respondents). Breaking barriers to accept seasonal influenza vaccination should be part of the influenza pandemic preparedness plan. Mandatory vaccination even during pandemic is likely to arouse substantial discontent.

Chor JS ，Pada SK ，Stephenson I ，Goggins WB ，Tambyah PA ，Clarke TW ，Medina M ，Lee N ，Leung TF ，Ngai KL ，Law SK ，Rainer TH ，Griffiths S ，Chan PK ... -  《-》

Influenza vaccination and intention to receive the pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccine among healthcare workers of British Columbia, Canada: a cross-sectional study.

Kaboli F ，Astrakianakis G ，Li G ，Guzman J ，Donovan T ，Naus M ... -  《-》

Differences in the compliance with hospital infection control practices during the 2009 influenza H1N1 pandemic in three countries.

In December 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued updated guidelines on the prevention of H1N1 influenza virus in healthcare settings. In 2010, the WHO pandemic influenza alert level was still at phase 6. To study the practice of infection control measures during the 2009 influenza H1N1 pandemic among healthcare workers (HCWs) in three countries. A standardized, self-administered anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted in 2010 among doctors, nurses and allied HCWs in 120 hospital-based clinical departments in Hong Kong, Singapore and the UK. Questions were asked on demographics; previous experience and perceived severity of influenza; infection control practices; uptake of seasonal influenza vaccination and H1N1 vaccination. Multiple logistic regression was used to test the independent association with different factors. A total of 2100 HCWs in the three countries participated. They reported high compliance (>80%) with infection control procedures regarded as standard for droplet-transmitted infections including wearing and changing gloves, and washing hands before and after patient contact. However, the reported use of masks with indirect or direct patient contact (surgical or N95 as required by their hospital) varied considerably (96.4% and 70.4% for Hong Kong; 82.3% and 87.7% for Singapore; 25.3% and 62.0% for the UK). Reported compliance was associated with job title, number of patient contacts and perceived severity of pandemics. There was no association between the uptake for seasonal or 2009 H1N1 vaccines and compliance. Compliance with infection control measures for pandemic influenza appears to vary widely depending on the setting.

Chor JS ，Pada SK ，Stephenson I ，Goggins WB ，Tambyah PA ，Medina M ，Lee N ，Leung TF ，Ngai KL ，Law SK ，Rainer TH ，Griffiths S ，Chan PK ... -  《-》

Acceptance of a vaccine against pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus amongst healthcare workers in Beijing, China.

Due to the advent of the new influenza A (H1N1) strain in 2009, many countries introduced mass immunization programs. Healthcare workers (HCWs) were amongst the key groups targeted for the vaccine in these programs. However, experience with the seasonal influenza vaccine has shown that there are multiple barriers related to the attitudes and perceptions of the population which influence uptake. The aim of this study was to determine pandemic influenza A (H1N1) vaccination rate amongst a group of Chinese HCWs and the associated factors around acceptance. A cross-sectional investigation of HCWs (doctors, nurses and technicians) from 19 hospitals in Beijing, China was conducted in January 2010. The main outcome measures were awareness, risk perception of H1N1, preventive measures and uptake of H1N1 vaccination during the pandemic. A total of 1657 HCWs completed the survey. A quarter of the participants reported receiving the pandemic influenza A (H1N1) vaccine. Occupation (being a doctor), receiving seasonal flu vaccine and believing in the effectiveness of the vaccine were all strongly associated with accepting the pandemic influenza A (H1N1) vaccine. Over a thousand participants (61%, 1008/1657) agreed that they were 'concerned about the side effects of the swine flu vaccine', while 758 (46%) were 'concerned that the vaccine had not been tested adequately'. While studies reported high rates of willingness to receive the vaccine, in reality these did not transpire. Aside from promoting seasonal flu vaccination, authorities need to start educational campaigns much earlier in a pandemic. Programs that are simultaneously launched with the introduction of the vaccine will not be as successful, as those which have built momentum alongside the pandemic.

Seale H ，Kaur R ，Wang Q ，Yang P ，Zhang Y ，Wang X ，Li X ，Zhang H ，Zhang Z ，MacIntyre CR ... -  《-》

Are Kenyan healthcare workers willing to receive the pandemic influenza vaccine? Results from a cross-sectional survey of healthcare workers in Kenya about knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning infection with and vaccination against 2009 pandemic

Over 1200 cases of 2009 pandemic influenza A H1N1 (pH1N1) have been identified in Kenya since the first case in June 2009. In April 2010 the Kenyan government launched a program to immunize high-risk groups and healthcare workers (HCWs) with pH1N1 vaccines donated by the World Health Organization. To characterize HCWs' knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding pH1N1 vaccination, we conducted a quantitative and qualitative survey in 20 healthcare facilities across Kenya between January 11 and 26, 2010. Of 659 HCWs interviewed, 55% thought there was a vaccine against pH1N1, and 89% indicated that they would receive pH1N1 vaccine if it became available. In focus group discussions, many HCWs said that pH1N1 virus infection did not cause severe disease in Kenyans and questioned the need for vaccination. However, most were willing to accept vaccination if they had adequate information on safety and efficacy. In order for the influenza vaccination campaign to be successful, HCWs must understand that pH1N1 can cause severe disease in Kenyans, that pH1N1 vaccination can prevent HCWs from transmitting influenza to their patients, and that the vaccine has been widely used globally with few recognized adverse events.

Oria PA ，Matini W ，Nelligan I ，Emukule G ，Scherzer M ，Oyier B ，Ochieng HN ，Hooper L ，Kanyuga A ，Muthoka P ，Morales KF ，Nzioka C ，Breiman RF ，Katz MA ... -  《-》