REVIEW PAPER
Influenza vaccinations of health care personnel
 
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1
Warszawski Uniwersytet Medyczny / Medical University of Warsaw, Warszawa, Poland (Katedra i Zakład Medycyny Rodzinnej z Oddziałem Klinicznym Chorób Wewnętrznych i Metabolicznych / Department of Family Medicine, Clinical Ward of Internal and Metabolic Diseases)
 
2
Narodowy Instytut Zdrowia Publicznego - Państwowy Zakład Higieny / National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene, Warszawa, Poland (Zakład Badania Wirusów Grypy, Krajowy Ośrodek ds. Grypy / Department of Influenza Research, National Influenza Center)
 
3
Uniwersytet Szczeciński / University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland (Zakład Immunologii, Wydział Biologii / Department of Immunology, Faculty of Biology)
 
 
Corresponding author
Aneta Nitsch-Osuch   

Katedra i Zakład Medycyny Rodzinnej z Oddziałem Klinicznym Chorób Wewnętrznych i Metabolicznych, Warszawski Uniwersytet Medyczny, ul. Banacha 1a, blok F, 02-092 Warszawa
 
 
Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2013;64(1):119-29
 
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ABSTRACT
Influenza is one of the most common respiratory diseases affecting people of all age groups all over the world. Seasonal influenza leads to substantial morbidity and mortality on a global scale. Vaccines are undeniably one of the most important health advances of the past century, however, managing influenza in working populations remains a difficult issue. Vaccination of health care workers (HCW) is an efficient way to reduce the risk of occupational infection and to prevent nosocomial transmission to vulnerable patients. Despite this, achieving high immunization rates among those professionals is a challenge. Knowledge and attitudes of healthcare providers have significant impact on the frequency with which vaccines are offered and accepted, but many HCWs are poorly equipped to make informed recommendations about vaccine merits and risks. Principal reasons for vaccination are the willing not to be infected and avoiding transmission to patients and the family. The main reasons for refusing is lack of time, a feeling of invulnerability to vaccination, conviction of not being at risk, of being too young or in good health. Misconceptions about influenza vaccine efficacy, like adverse effects, and fear of contracting illness from the vaccine are significantly associated with noncompliance with vaccination. Therefore, strategies to increase awareness of the importance of recommending influenza immunization among health professionals are required. Med Pr 2013;64(1):119–129
eISSN:2353-1339
ISSN:0465-5893
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