tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Am J Infect Control
. 2025 Jun 26:S0196-6553(25)00452-3.
doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2025.06.021. Online ahead of print. Vaccination coverage outcomes and healthcare organisation program implementers' experiences after introduction of a healthcare worker influenza vaccination mandate in Victoria, Australia, 2022-2023
Lyn-Li Lim[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Stephanie K Tanamas[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Leon J Worth[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Ann Bull[SUP] 4 [/SUP], N Deborah Friedman[SUP] 5 [/SUP], Sanne Peters[SUP] 6 [/SUP], Sarah Bird[SUP] 7 [/SUP], Nick Wilson[SUP] 8 [/SUP], Noleen Bennett[SUP] 9 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Background: In 2022, the Victorian government, Australia, introduced a seasonal influenza vaccination mandate for specified healthcare workers (HCW). We describe implementation of the mandate's requirements in healthcare organisations by METHODS: An analysis was undertaken of annual organisational surveillance data routinely reported by healthcare organisations to the coordinating centre from 2018 to 2023. Focus group interviews with program implementers were conducted.
Results: Annual vaccination coverage increased from a median of 85.4% (2018-2021) to 93.6% (2022-2023). Those with 'unknown status' and declinations decreased from a median of 8.2% to 5.1%, and 5.0% to 1.1% respectively. Implementers described increased leadership support and accountability for program delivery, and a focus on educating HCWs on the mandate and how to provide evidence of vaccination. New challenges included interpreting the mandate and applying pragmatic consequences. Implementers described increased administrative burden and seeking technological solutions.
Conclusions: Introduction of the mandate coincided with an increase in HCW influenza vaccination coverage and changes to program delivery. Investment in technological solutions can support surveillance by reducing the administrative burden and potentially increasing reporting accuracy of number of HCWs with 'unknown status'.
Keywords: Influenza; coverage; healthcare workers; implementation; programs; vaccination.
. 2025 Jun 26:S0196-6553(25)00452-3.
doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2025.06.021. Online ahead of print. Vaccination coverage outcomes and healthcare organisation program implementers' experiences after introduction of a healthcare worker influenza vaccination mandate in Victoria, Australia, 2022-2023
Lyn-Li Lim[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Stephanie K Tanamas[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Leon J Worth[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Ann Bull[SUP] 4 [/SUP], N Deborah Friedman[SUP] 5 [/SUP], Sanne Peters[SUP] 6 [/SUP], Sarah Bird[SUP] 7 [/SUP], Nick Wilson[SUP] 8 [/SUP], Noleen Bennett[SUP] 9 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 40581046
- DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2025.06.021
Background: In 2022, the Victorian government, Australia, introduced a seasonal influenza vaccination mandate for specified healthcare workers (HCW). We describe implementation of the mandate's requirements in healthcare organisations by METHODS: An analysis was undertaken of annual organisational surveillance data routinely reported by healthcare organisations to the coordinating centre from 2018 to 2023. Focus group interviews with program implementers were conducted.
Results: Annual vaccination coverage increased from a median of 85.4% (2018-2021) to 93.6% (2022-2023). Those with 'unknown status' and declinations decreased from a median of 8.2% to 5.1%, and 5.0% to 1.1% respectively. Implementers described increased leadership support and accountability for program delivery, and a focus on educating HCWs on the mandate and how to provide evidence of vaccination. New challenges included interpreting the mandate and applying pragmatic consequences. Implementers described increased administrative burden and seeking technological solutions.
Conclusions: Introduction of the mandate coincided with an increase in HCW influenza vaccination coverage and changes to program delivery. Investment in technological solutions can support surveillance by reducing the administrative burden and potentially increasing reporting accuracy of number of HCWs with 'unknown status'.
Keywords: Influenza; coverage; healthcare workers; implementation; programs; vaccination.