A health promotion campaign to improve flu vaccination adherence among Italian medical residents

Background In Italy annual flu vaccination is highly recommended for health care workers (HCW) but coverage is usually unsatisfying. The compliance is even worse among medical residents (MRs) and this is shown by both the literature and our experience: in the flu season 2014-15, only 6 MRs (0.6%) were vaccinated, three times less than senior colleagues. This study aims to analyze the impact of a specific campaign put in place in the last flu season on vaccination coverage among the MRs of a large Teaching Hospital in Rome. Methods During the 2015-16 flu season, the Hospital Management together with the Occupational Medicine Service started a campaign to raise the awareness about immunization through active invitations by personal email and posters in strategic places. Furthermore they duplicated the locations in which the MRs could be vaccinated: one in the hospital building, as in the previous year, and a new site at the occupational surveillance ambulatory in the University. Results 99 out of a total number of 1064 MRs (9.3%) belonging to 46 specialties were vaccinated, 8.7% more than in the previous season (p < 0.001). The highest vaccination coverage was found among MRs of Hematology and Urology (54.5%) and of Infectious Diseases units (53.8%). However, in about 50% of specialties no one was vaccinated. MRs belonging to surgical specialties showed a lower, but not significant, compliance with respect to colleagues from medical specialties (6.2% vs 10.9%). Conclusions Seasonal flu vaccination among HCWs is important to protect patients as well as themselves and their loved ones. Considering that MRs represent the next generation of HCWs, they should be sensitized about the importance of preventing the spread of influenza in hospital population. This study highlights an initial and promising increase in MRs flu vaccination coverage following the introduction of simple strategies to promote the awareness and uptake of vaccination. Key message: A close cooperation between the hospital management and the occupational medicine service could represent a good start