Influenza Vaccination Campaign during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Experience of a Research and Teaching Hospital in Milan

Pier Mario Perrone, Giacomo Biganzoli, Maurizio Lecce, Emanuela Maria Campagnoli, Ambra Castrofino, Andrea Cinnirella, Federica Fornaro, Claudia Gallana, Francesca Maria Grosso, Manuel Maffeo, Viktoriia Shishmintseva, Elena Pariani and Silvana Castaldi
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Pier Mario Perrone: Department Biomedical Sciences for Health, Postgraduate School in Public Health, University of Milano, 20136 Milan, Italy
Giacomo Biganzoli: Pharmacogenomics & Precision Therapeutics Master Degree, University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy
Maurizio Lecce: Quality Unit Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda OMP, 20122 Milan, Italy
Emanuela Maria Campagnoli: Department Biomedical Sciences for Health, Postgraduate School in Public Health, University of Milano, 20136 Milan, Italy
Ambra Castrofino: Department Biomedical Sciences for Health, Postgraduate School in Public Health, University of Milano, 20136 Milan, Italy
Andrea Cinnirella: Department Biomedical Sciences for Health, Postgraduate School in Public Health, University of Milano, 20136 Milan, Italy
Federica Fornaro: Department Biomedical Sciences for Health, Postgraduate School in Public Health, University of Milano, 20136 Milan, Italy
Claudia Gallana: Department Biomedical Sciences for Health, Postgraduate School in Public Health, University of Milano, 20136 Milan, Italy
Francesca Maria Grosso: Department Biomedical Sciences for Health, Postgraduate School in Public Health, University of Milano, 20136 Milan, Italy
Manuel Maffeo: Department Biomedical Sciences for Health, Postgraduate School in Public Health, University of Milano, 20136 Milan, Italy
Viktoriia Shishmintseva: Department Biomedical Sciences for Health, Postgraduate School in Public Health, University of Milano, 20136 Milan, Italy
Elena Pariani: Department Biomedical Sciences for Health, Postgraduate School in Public Health, University of Milano, 20136 Milan, Italy
Silvana Castaldi: Department Biomedical Sciences for Health, Postgraduate School in Public Health, University of Milano, 20136 Milan, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 11, 1-13

Abstract: Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, more than ever, optimal influenza vaccination coverage among healthcare workers (HCWs) is crucial to avoid absenteeism and disruption of health services, as well as in-hospital influenza outbreaks. The aim of this study is to analyze the 2020 influenza vaccination campaign, comparing it with the previous year’s in a research and teaching hospital in Northern Italy. Methods: adopting an approach based on combined strategies, three interventions were deployed: a promotional and educational campaign, vaccination delivery through both ad hoc and on-site ambulatories, and a gaming strategy. Personal data and professional categories were collected and analyzed using univariate logistic regression. Vaccinated HCWs were asked to fill in a questionnaire to describe their reasons for vaccination adherence. Results: the vaccination coverage rate (VCR) was 43.1%, compared to 21.5% in 2019. The highest increase was registered among administrative staff (308.3%), while physicians represent the most vaccinated category (n = 600). Moreover, residents (prevalence ratio (PR): 1.12; 95% CI 1.04–1.20), as well as intensive care (PR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.24–1.69) and newborn workers (PR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.20–1.65) were, respectively, the categories most frequently vaccinated for the first time. Conclusion: the significant increase in vaccination coverage rate confirms the suitability of the combined strategy of delivering the flu vaccination campaign and represents a first step towards reaching WHO recommended vaccination rates.

Keywords: influenza vaccine; vaccination adherence; healthcare workers vaccination; vaccination refusal (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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