Exploring influenza vaccine uptake among health-care workers: an integrative literature review of barriers and facilitators
Date
2014-09-29
Authors
Darwiche, Darine
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Abstract
Influenza, an infectious disease that occurs annually in temperate regions around the world, affects an estimated 5-15% of the world’s population and results in 500, 000 deaths annually (World Health Organization, [WHO], 2009). Since 1981, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have recommended that all healthcare workers (HCW) receive influenza vaccination annually. Despite many health authorities’
recommendations, influenza vaccination rates among HCW are universally low. Numerous vaccination campaigns encouraging HCW to be vaccinated have been met with resistance. This integrative review encompasses the American and the Canadian research published between 2000 and 2014. In this paper, I explore the extant quantitative and qualitative research that identifies the barriers to and the motivators for
influenza vaccination uptake among HCW. An integrative literature review was conducted and the findings were organised using the health beleif model (HBM). An analysis of common themes reveals that the main barriers to receiving the influenza vaccination among the resistant HCW are the fear of the vaccine’s adverse effects, the belief that the vaccine is not effective, and the doubt that influenza is a serious disease. The identified motivators are the belief that the vaccine protects oneself, protects the patients, and is effective. Future efforts to improve vaccination should include rigorous education on vaccine safety and efficacy.
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Keywords
influenza, vaccine, nurse, health care workers, health care personnel, physician, knowledge, attitudes, practice, infection control