Interventions to increase seasonal influenza vaccine coverage in healthcare workers: A systematic review and meta-regression analysis. Issue 3 (3rd March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lytras, Theodore; Kopsachilis, Frixos; Mouratidou, Elisavet; Papamichail, Dimitris; Bonovas, Stefanos
• Is Part Of: Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics. Volume 12:Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: 671
• Page End: 681
• Publication Date: 2016-03-03
• Subjects: influenza -- vaccination -- influenza vaccine -- vaccine coverage -- healthcare workers -- healthcare -- systematic review -- meta-analysis -- meta-regression -- epidemiology; Vaccines -- Periodicals; 615.372
• DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2015.1106656
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2164-5515

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Influenza vaccination is recommended for healthcare workers (HCWs), but coverage is often low. We reviewed studies evaluating interventions to increase seasonal influenza vaccination coverage in HCWs, including a meta-regression analysis to quantify the effect of each component. Fourty-six eligible studies were identified. Domains conferring a high risk of bias were identified in most studies. Mandatory vaccination was the most effective intervention component (Risk Ratio of being unvaccinated [RRunvacc ] = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.08–0.45), followed by "soft" mandates such as declination statements (RRunvacc = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.45–0.92), increased awareness (RRunvacc = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.71–0.97) and increased access (RRunvacc = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.78–1.00). For incentives the difference was not significant, while for education no effect was observed. Heterogeneity was substantial (τ 2 = 0.083). These results indicate that effective alternatives to mandatory HCWs influenza vaccination do exist, and need to be further explored in future studies.