American Journal of Infection Control
February 2015 Volume 43, Issue 2, p99-198
http://www.ajicjournal.org/current

Influenza vaccination rates and beliefs about vaccination among nursing home employees
Jill D. Daugherty, MPH, PhD, Sarah C. Blake, MA, PhD, Jessica M. Grosholz, MA, PhD, Saad B. Omer, MBBS, MPH, PhD, LuMarie Polivka-West, MS, David H. Howard, PhD
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2014.08.021
Highlights
:: We surveyed nearly 2,000 nursing home staff members from 37 agencies regarding their influenza vaccination policies and procedures.
:: During the most recent influenza season, approximately 54% of nursing home staff members had received the influenza vaccine.
:: Black and younger nursing home employees were less likely to obtain the vaccine than white or older employees.
:: Certain beliefs and/or attitudes toward the influenza vaccine had a statistically significant impact on the likelihood that respondents had received the vaccine.
Abstract
Background
Recent studies have suggested that vaccination of nursing home staff members may reduce the incidence of influenza among nursing home residents. Current national estimates of employee vaccination rates (around 50%) indicate that residents may be at an unnecessarily high risk of contracting influenza. This article reports on the influenza vaccination rates and attitudes toward the vaccine among employees in 37 nursing homes in 3 states.
Methods
Nursing home employees were surveyed at nursing homes in Florida, Georgia, and Wisconsin in 2011-2012. Completed surveys were received from a total of 1,965 employees.
Results
Approximately 54% of the employees surveyed received the vaccination during the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 influenza seasons. Nursing home–level staff vaccination rates varied widely, from 15%-97%. Black and younger employees were less likely to receive the vaccine. Employee vaccination rates in nursing homes that used incentives were 12 percentage points higher than those that did not use incentives (P = .08).
Conclusion
Low vaccination rates among nursing home workers may put residents at increased risk for influenza-related morbidity and mortality. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services may consider employee vaccination rates as a quality indicator in addition to resident vaccination rates. Our findings support the use of a trial to test the use of incentives to increase employee vaccination rates.

Vaccination coverage among students from a German health care college
Carolin Mäding, MSc1, Carolin Jacob, MPH1, Carola Münch, BSc, Katharina von Lindeman, PhD, Jörg Klewer, MD, Joachim Kugler, MD
1Equally contributed to the manuscript.
Published Online: December 23, 2014
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2014.10.019
Highlights
:: Vaccination coverage among health care students is reviewed.
:: Unsatisfactory vaccination rates were found.
:: Significant association between age, sex, socioeconomic status, and vaccination coverage was found.
:: Health care students stated: Vaccinations are absolutely or in part necessary (97%).
Abstract
Health care students are at risk of acquiring and transmitting vaccine-preventable diseases. The purpose of this study was to assess their vaccination status and the influence of determining factors on their vaccination status. Unsatisfactory vaccination rates (43.8%-94.1%) and significant effects regarding age, sex, and socioeconomic status were found; therefore, there is an increased need for education and motivation for vaccinations in student training.