Improving Mandatory Vaccination Against Influenza: Minimizing Anxiety of Employees to Maximize Health of Patients. (July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Benin, Andrea L.; Lockwood, Gina; Creatore, Tracy; Donovan, Donna; Predmore, Maggi; MacArthur, Susan
• Is Part Of: American journal of medical quality. Volume 33:Number 4(2018)
• Page Start: 372
• Page End: 382
• Publication Date: 2018-07
• Subjects: influenza vaccination -- employee vaccination; Medical care -- Quality control -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Evaluation -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Utilization review -- Periodicals; Medical care -- United States -- Periodicals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.1177/1062860617748738
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1062-8606

Abstract

The objective was to describe qualitatively the attitudes among employees toward mandatory vaccination against influenza to ultimately improve such programs and prevent hospital-acquired influenza. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 21 employees at a freestanding children's hospital. Analysis of interview transcripts used grounded theory and the constant comparative method; codes were iteratively revised and refined as themes emerged. Themes emerged elucidating promoters and concerns. Promoters included a desire to protect self, family, and patients; perception of vaccination as part of professional responsibility; and free vaccination as a benefit from the organization. Concerns included negative feelings surrounding the forced nature and substantial anxiety about the physical injection. Participants expressed a strong desire for a private, compassionate, unhurried environment for the injection. Managing personal anxiety and a desire for privacy emerged as strong concerns among health care workers getting vaccinated at work. This information enabled future improvements in the mandatory vaccination campaign.