Assessing Vaccine Hesitancy among Healthcare Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study at an Italian Paediatric Hospital and the Development of a Healthcare Worker's Vaccination Compliance Index

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Vaccines (Basel). 2019 Nov 29;7(4). pii: E201. doi: 10.3390/vaccines7040201. Assessing Vaccine Hesitancy among Healthcare Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study at an Italian Paediatric Hospital and the Development of a Healthcare Worker's Vaccination Compliance Index.

Paoli S¹, Lorini C¹, Puggelli F¹, Sala A², Grazzini M¹, Paolini D¹, Bonanni P¹, Bonaccorsi G¹.
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1 Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy. 2 Management Department, Meyer Children's University Hospital, Viale Gaetano Pieraccini 24, 50139 Florence, Italy.

Abstract

Healthcare workers (HCWs) in paediatric hospitals are an important source of advice on vaccinations, but vaccine hesitancy can affect even these professionals. The aim of this study is to assess this phenomenon, measuring it by means of a scoring system. A survey was conducted in five departments of an Italian paediatric university hospital of national interest. Vaccination against influenza was considered a behavioral indicator of vaccination uptake. Using the collected data, the healthcare worker's vaccination compliance index (HVCI) was computed. The results demonstrate statistically significant differences between departments and professional profiles. Nearly 80% of the sample was not immunized against seasonal influenza. According to the HVCI scores, the most hesitant departments are the intensive care unit, emergency room, and oncohematology department, while the most hesitant professional profiles are nurses and auxiliary staff. The score of the unvaccinated is significantly lower than that of the vaccinated, and the same difference was found between those who self-perceive to be skilled versus unskilled. The HVCI score was statistically verified as a predictive parameter to assess vaccination against seasonal influenza. By means of strategic training policies, both HVCI and perceived skills could be improved, suggesting that hospital management should draw a complex intervention program to fight against hesitancy.


KEYWORDS:

Healthcare workers (HCWs), Vaccine Confidence Index; Italy; paediatrics; vaccine hesitancy

PMID: 31795438 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines7040201
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