COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccination Campaign in a Research and University Hospital in Milan, Italy

Maurizio Lecce, Giacomo Biganzoli, Luca Agnello, Ignazio Belisario, Giovanni Cicconi, Marilena D’Amico, Francesca De Giorgi, Angelo Ferilli, Gaia Ferraguzzi, Fabio Guzzardi, Danilo Lanzillotti, Roberta Lattanzio, Chiara Marrocu, Maria Emanuela Noto, Sara Piccinelli, Noemi Sabatelli, Sheila Santisteban, Sudwaric Sharma, Livia Tognaccini and Silvana Castaldi
Additional contact information
Maurizio Lecce: Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Postgraduate School of Public Health, University of Milan, 20136 Milan, Italy
Giacomo Biganzoli: Unit of Medical Statistics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (DIBIC) “L. Sacco” & DSRC, Luigi Sacco University Hospital, 20157 Milan, Italy
Luca Agnello: Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Postgraduate School of Public Health, University of Milan, 20136 Milan, Italy
Ignazio Belisario: Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Postgraduate School of Public Health, University of Milan, 20136 Milan, Italy
Giovanni Cicconi: Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Postgraduate School of Public Health, University of Milan, 20136 Milan, Italy
Marilena D’Amico: Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Postgraduate School of Public Health, University of Milan, 20136 Milan, Italy
Francesca De Giorgi: Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Postgraduate School of Public Health, University of Milan, 20136 Milan, Italy
Angelo Ferilli: Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Postgraduate School of Public Health, University of Milan, 20136 Milan, Italy
Gaia Ferraguzzi: Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Postgraduate School of Public Health, University of Milan, 20136 Milan, Italy
Fabio Guzzardi: Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Postgraduate School of Public Health, University of Milan, 20136 Milan, Italy
Danilo Lanzillotti: Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Postgraduate School of Public Health, University of Milan, 20136 Milan, Italy
Roberta Lattanzio: Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Postgraduate School of Public Health, University of Milan, 20136 Milan, Italy
Chiara Marrocu: Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Postgraduate School of Public Health, University of Milan, 20136 Milan, Italy
Maria Emanuela Noto: Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Postgraduate School of Public Health, University of Milan, 20136 Milan, Italy
Sara Piccinelli: Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Postgraduate School of Public Health, University of Milan, 20136 Milan, Italy
Noemi Sabatelli: Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Postgraduate School of Public Health, University of Milan, 20136 Milan, Italy
Sheila Santisteban: Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Postgraduate School of Public Health, University of Milan, 20136 Milan, Italy
Sudwaric Sharma: Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Postgraduate School of Public Health, University of Milan, 20136 Milan, Italy
Livia Tognaccini: Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Postgraduate School of Public Health, University of Milan, 20136 Milan, Italy
Silvana Castaldi: Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Postgraduate School of Public Health, University of Milan, 20136 Milan, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 11, 1-25

Abstract: Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are a historical key target of influenza vaccination programs. For the 2021–2022 season, WHO considered the coadministration of a flu and a COVID-19 vaccine as acceptable and recommended it to allow for higher uptake of both vaccines. The aim of this study was to investigate demographic and occupational features of vaccinated HCWs, reasons behind flu vaccine acceptance and a possible effect of the coadministration of a COVID-19 vaccine, in order to potentially draw general conclusions on HCWs’ attitude towards flu vaccination and inform further strategies for consistent improvement of vaccine acceptance. Methods: a promotional and educational campaign, a gaming strategy, and vaccination delivery through both a large central hub and on-site ambulatories, were the implemented strategies. In the central hub, the flu/COVID-19 vaccine coadministration was offered. Statistical descriptive analysis, multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) and logistic regression models were performed. Results: 2381 HCWs received the flu vaccine, prompting a vaccination coverage rate (VCR) of 52.0% versus 43.1% in the 2020–2021 campaign. Furthermore, 50.6% vaccinated HCWs belonged to the 18–39 years-old age group. The most expressed reasons for vaccine uptake were “Vaccination is the most effective strategy of prevention” (n = 1928, 81.0%), “As HCW it’s my duty to get vaccinated to protect my patients” (n = 766, 32.2%), and the group of COVID-19-related reasons (n = 586, 24.6%). In addition, 23.3% HCWs received the flu vaccine in the current campaign but not in the previous one (newly vaccinated) and the flu/COVID-19 vaccine coadministration was more frequent in this group. A total of 51.0% HCWs were hesitant towards the coadministration, while residents and nurses showed the highest propensity to receive it. Conclusions: in the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fondazione’s influenza VCR continued to increase, with the greatest participation among HCWs aged 18–39 years. A potential propelling role of the COVID-19 vaccine coadministration was highlighted.

Keywords: influenza vaccine; healthcare workers; COVID-19 vaccine; vaccine coadministration; vaccination coverage; vaccine acceptance; vaccine adherence; vaccine compliance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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