Page 220 - Hospital Authority Convention 2018

Service Enhancement Presentations
HOSPITAL AUTHORITY CONVENTION 2018

F7.6 Committed and Happy Staff 13:15 Room 421

Can We Improve the Influenza Vaccination Rate among Healthcare Workers by Addressing Their Concerns on
the Vaccine When They Attend Staff Clinic?
Shiu WH, Yau LM, Wong TK, Chao DVK
Department of Family Medicine and Primary Health Care, United Christian Hospital, Hong Kong

Introduction
Despite annual influenza vaccination is highly recommended worldwide as the first and best way to protect against influenza,
the injection rate remains relatively low among healthcare workers (HCW). Finding out the underlying reason(s) of their refusal
and addressing their concerns may enhance the vaccination rate of HCW. A pilot programme was conducted in a Hospital
Authority staff clinic.

Objectives
(1) To explore the reasons that HCWs refuse to receive influenza vaccination; (2) to see if addressing these factors by their
doctor could improve the vaccination rate.

Methodology
A pilot programme was conducted for one week period from 5 January 2018 to 12 January 2018. HCWs attending our staff
clinic were invited to fill in a questionnaire concerning their flu vaccine status and the reason of refusing vaccination. During
consultation, the attending doctor would examine the questionnaire, and explore the HCWs health belief and attitude towards
vaccination if they had not received the vaccine. Misconceptions on vaccine would be corrected together with a take-home
influenza vaccine information sheet highlighting their specific areas of concern.
Immediate on-site vaccination service was provided to the HCWs after consultation if they agreed while the information sheet
would act as a reminder for those who could not decide yet.
Results
According to the questionnaire, the influenza vaccination rate of the HCWs attending our clinic during the period was 28.6%.
217 questionnaires were collected with a response rate of 71.9%, in which 203 were complete and valid. The baseline ad hoc
vaccination rate from 15 December 2017 to 22 December 2017 was 1.3%, while that of the intervention period was 6.6%.

Fear of vaccine side effects was common among HCWs, which should be the area of focus on future promotion of
vaccination. Experiencing adverse reaction ranked second, therefore, HCWs should be encouraged to report suspected
adverse reactions after vaccination in order to clarify whether those were vaccine related or not.

The ad hoc vaccination rate significantly increased with this strategy comparing with the baseline before the programme.
Further enhancement of vaccination rate is possible given some HCWs may change their mind later through education.
Larger scale of this programme involving more HCWs is warranted to confirm the effectiveness of this approach in enhancing
vaccination rate.
Tuesday, 8 May 2018

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