This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Influenza vaccine coverage varies by occupation
A telephone survey across 21 states found that influenza vaccine coverage varied significantly across a wide array of industries in the U.S., with workers in the construction, farming and food service industries ranking among the lowest levels of coverage.
“Knowledge of influenza vaccination coverage among health care personnel and other occupational groups can help guide prevention efforts and be useful during an outbreak response,” Alissa C. O’Halloran, MSPH, of the immunization services division at the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC, and colleagues wrote. “Additionally, influenza vaccination coverage rates can assist in influenza pandemic planning.”
The researchers analyzed data from the 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, which included an industry-occupation module identifying 22 broad groups of occupations. The survey was coordinated between the CDC and the health departments of all participating states.
Higher levels of education, having health insurance and a usual place for health care, as well as having at least one physician visit in the previous year were all independently associated with vaccination, O’Halloran and colleagues wrote.
Health care practitioners and workers in technical occupations had the highest rate of vaccination, at 62.3%, whereas workers in the farming, fishing and forestry occupations had the lowest, at 13.7%.
Physicians and surgeons had the highest rates of vaccination coverage among all health care personnel (75.8%). Inpatient health care personnel (65.5%) had higher vaccination rates than outpatient personnel and workers in physicians’ offices (52.8%), other clinical settings (46.7%) and long-term care facilities (41.6%).
“Influenza vaccination coverage varied across industries in our study,” O’Halloran said in a press release accompanying the study. “Increasing influenza vaccination can reduce the spread of influenza in the workplace. This is especially important for health care personnel, public health responders and people in other occupations who are more likely to be exposed to influenza and possibly spread it to patients or people who are at high risk of serious flu complications.” – by Andy Polhamus
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
Perspective
Back to Top
The importance of seasonal influenza vaccine for health care workers and high-risk groups has been well-documented. The journal article by O’Halloran and colleagues presents a unique perspective on how the knowledge of influenza vaccine coverage across various industries could help guide prevention efforts in an outbreak response as well as facilitate pandemic planning. To assess coverage by different occupational groups, the researchers analyzed data from 21 states using the 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System industry-occupation module. Influenza vaccination coverage was reported by select industry and occupation group, which included health care personnel and other occupational groups that may be a priority to receive influenza vaccination during a pandemic. The study found that in general, higher education, having health care insurance and a regular health care provider were independently associated with receipt of vaccine. The researchers noted that influenza vaccine coverage varied among occupational groups, with the lowest among construction workers at only 18%.
From an infection prevention perspective, this study provides valuable information not only for emergency planning, but identifies areas where improved coverage is necessary. It also suggests that immunization and communication strategies concerning the importance of seasonal influenza vaccine may need to be tailored for different occupational groups to achieve improved coverage among these select groups, thereby boosting protection for the population as a whole.