Voluntary Influenza Vaccination Uptake Rates and Reasons for Refusal

Influenza, also known as the flu, is one of the most common seasonal illnesses with outbreaks commonly occurring each year. Although most cases of influenza are mild, up to 25% require outpatient medical care, as many as 4% require inpatient care, and 1% require intensive care. Thus, the prevention of influenza is highly important both for maintaining health and for reducing mortality. Many hospitals have implemented voluntary influenza vaccination programs, which provide free annual seasonal influenza vaccines for all staff. However, even though the influenza vaccination reduces the infection rate by 70% to 90%, the uptake of hospital-provided vaccination is relatively low. Existing data from the 2010-2011 flu vaccination program gained from the employee database of the hospital was used to examine vaccination rates and reasons for refusal at a teaching hospital in the Southeastern United States. Data show that 87.2% of employees were vaccinated or had a medical/religious reason to refuse.