Healthcare Workers' (HCWs) attitudes towards mandatory influenza vaccination: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Issue 6 (5th February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gualano, Maria Rosaria; Corradi, Alessio; Voglino, Gianluca; Catozzi, Dario; Olivero, Elena; Corezzi, Michele; Bert, Fabrizio; Siliquini, Roberta
• Is Part Of: Vaccine. Volume 39:Issue 6(2021)
• Page Start: 901
• Page End: 914
• Publication Date: 2021-02-05
• Subjects: Influenza -- Human -- Vaccination -- Immunization programs -- Health personnel; Vaccines -- Periodicals; 615.372
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.12.061
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-410X

Abstract

Highlights: Worldwide, the 61% of all healthcare workers agree with mandatory flu vaccination. Great heterogeneity exists, with differences between continents and professionals. Vaccinated healthcare workers agree more frequently with mandatory flu vaccination. Few studies investigate mandatory vaccination agreement as the main outcome. Abstract: Influenza is a disease responsible for thousands of deaths every year. Although healthcare workers (HCWs) represent a way of contagion for patients, vaccination coverage among them is low. Mandatory vaccination has been proposed, but controversies remain. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the acceptance of mandatory vaccination by HCWs, and to investigate associated characteristics. MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, PsycInfo, CINAHL and Web of Science were used to search for studies assessing the topic. PRISMA statements were followed. Of the 13, 457 univocal records found, 52 studies were included in the systematic review and 40 in the meta-analysis. The pooled proportion of HCWs accepting the policy was of 61% (95% CI: 53%- 68%) but with great heterogeneity between continents (from 54% in Europe to 69% in Asia) and in different professionals (from 40% in nurses to 80% in students). Vaccinated HCWs agreed more frequently with mandatory vaccination than non-vaccinated ones. More studies that consider mandatory vaccination acceptance as the main outcome are needed, but the results of this study confirm that in some settings the majority of HCWs favour mandatory vaccination. This, combined with effects that a flu epidemic could have if overlapped to pandemics with similar symptoms, requires renewed considerations on mandatory vaccination.