Influenza vaccine uptake data of healthcare workers (HCWs) has been collected from Irish hospitals and long term care facilities (LTCFs) since 2011-2012 (as a pilot project) and since 2012-2013 season as routine.

On December 9th, 2015, HPSC launched its 2015-2016 mid-season survey to assess influenza vaccination uptake among HCWs working in Irish hospitals and LTCFs for the current influenza season.  

Data for this report were extracted from the web-based reporting system on January 18^th 2016.

Results

As of January 18^th 2016:

Hospital participation and uptake

• 43 out of 61 known hospitals (including 7 private ones) responded
• 42 hospitals provided complete data, giving a completed participation rate of 68.8%
• The average uptake among HCWs in these hospitals was 23.7% (range 7%-47%)
• This compares to an average influenza vaccine uptake of 23.4% in 2014-2015 for the same time period.

Long term care facility data participation and uptake

• 87 out of 246 known LTCFs participated
• 84 LTCFs provided complete data, giving a completed response rate of 26%
• The average uptake among HCWs in these LTCFs was 26.1% (range 0% –100%)
• This compares to an average influenza vaccine uptake of 25.7% in 2014-2015 for the same time period.

Influenza vaccine uptake details for the 2015-2016 season by individual acute hospital and long term care facility are available on the HPSC website at http://www.hpsc.ie/A-Z/Respiratory/Influenza/SeasonalInfluenza/InfluenzaandHealthcareWorkers/File,15542,en.xls

Please note, data provided in this report will not reflect data provided after January 18^th 2016 (Date of data extraction).

Recommendations

• All hospitals and LTCFs that have not submitted data for the 2015-2016 season are encouraged to do so. The link to the
  • hospital survey is https://www.demographix.com/surveys/FNCJ-ZKCT/6G84VCR8/
  • long term care facility survey is https://www.demographix.com/surveys/FNCJ-ZKCT/RMLENNEH/
• HCWs who have not obtained influenza vaccine are strongly encouraged to obtain the vaccination from their occupational health service provider (or as organised locally by occupational health or management)

Note:

A follow-up end-of-season influenza vaccine uptake among HCWs survey is scheduled for late April/early May 2016 when cumulative uptake figures for the whole 2015-2016 influenza season will be requested from each hospital/LTCF. It is planned that a more detailed report will be prepared in late summer or early autumn of this year.

Previous reports on uptake among HCWs in Irish hospitals and LTCFs are located on the HPSC website.

Piaras O'Lorcain & Suzanne Cotter, HPSC