Open AccessVaccination of healthcare workers to protect patients at increased risk of acute respiratory disease: summary of a systematic review
Author(s) -
Dolan Gayle P.,
Harris Rebecca C.,
Clarkson Mandy,
Sokal Rachel,
Morgan Gemma,
Mukaigawara Mitsuru,
Horiuchi Hiroshi,
Hale Rachel,
Stormont Laura,
BéchardEvans Laura,
Chao YiSheng,
Eremin Sergey,
Martins Sara,
Tam John,
Peñalver Javier,
Zanuzadana Arina,
NguyenVanTam Jonathan S.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
influenza and other respiratory viruses
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.743
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1750-2659
pISSN - 1750-2640
DOI - 10.1111/irv.12087
Subject(s) - medicine , vaccination , health care , intensive care medicine , population , disease , environmental health , immunology , economics , economic growth
Healthcare workers ( HCW s) are at increased risk of exposure to respiratory pathogens and may transmit infection to vulnerable patients. This study summarises a recent systematic review, which aimed to assess evidence that influenza or pneumococcal vaccination of HCW s provides indirect protection for those patients most at risk of severe or complicated acute respiratory infection. A number of healthcare databases and sources of grey literature were searched using a predefined strategy, and citations screened for eligibility in accordance with specified inclusion criteria. Risk of bias was assessed using validated tools and results summarised qualitatively. Twenty papers were included in the final review, all of which considered influenza vaccination of HCW . As such, planned subanalysis of pneumococcal vaccination was discarded. The majority of primary research studies included (11/14) were conducted in long‐term care facilities, but there was marked heterogeneity in terms of the population, intervention/exposure and outcomes considered. Consistency in the direction of effect was observed across several different outcome measures, suggesting that influenza vaccination of HCW s is likely to offer some protection. Further evidence is, however, required from acute care settings.