Influenza vaccination in nursing home health care workers: The current situation

Aim: To examine if the NVVA guideline: "Influenza prevention in Nursing homes and Homes for the elderly" has resulted in changes in vaccination policy and vaccination rate among personnel. Method: Dutch nursing homes (n=335) have been asked to fill in a questionnaire. In this questionnaire there has been asked for the vaccination rate (2004), request manner, presence of a written policy and manner of informing; all concerning influenza vaccination of personnel. Results: 149 homes (45%) reported an average vaccination rate among personnel of 10.5%, 45% of these have a written policy and in 72% there is an active request The vaccination rate is higher when both of these are present. Conclusion: The guideline has resulted in a slight increase of the vaccination rate among nursing home personnel (from 5-8% to 10.5%). Nursing homes with a written policy have more often switched to on an active request Further improvement of influenza vaccination campaigns is necessary