Open AccessInfluenza vaccination uptake among Victorian healthcare workers: evaluating the success of a statewide program
Author(s) -
Johnson Sandra A.,
Bennett Noleen,
Bull Ann L.,
Richards Michael J.,
Worth Leon J.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.946
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1753-6405
pISSN - 1326-0200
DOI - 10.1111/1753-6405.12517
Subject(s) - health care , vaccination , medicine , benchmarking , healthcare worker , environmental health , medical emergency , family medicine , business , virology , marketing , economics , economic growth
Objective : Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all Australian healthcare workers (HCWs). In 2014, a target vaccination uptake of 75% was set for Victorian healthcare facilities. This study aimed to determine the 2014 uptake, describe trends over time and propose an enhanced reporting framework. Methods : Annual data submitted to the Victorian Healthcare Associated Infection Surveillance System (VICNISS) regarding HCW influenza were evaluated for 2005–2014. Faculty uptake – the number of vaccinations administered divided by total number of staff employed – was reported as a statewide aggregate and stratified by facility size (number of staff employed). Results : In 2014, 78,885 HCWs were vaccinated across 93 healthcare facilities, corresponding to an overall uptake of 72.2%. During 2005–2014, small facilities (<100 HCWs) generally reported highest uptake while larger facilities (≥800 HCWs) recorded lowest uptake. Larger facilities recorded the greatest increase (+13.9%) when 2013 and 2014 seasons were compared. For all healthcare facility size categories, the highest uptake was observed in 2014. Conclusion : Influenza vaccination uptake in HCWs has successfully been introduced as a performance indicator in Victorian healthcare facilities and a peak uptake was reported in 2014. Varied trends are evident when uptake is stratified by number of employed HCWs, providing a feasible and meaningful method for benchmarking.