BACKGROUND:
One of ACIP’s recommendations to decrease the risk for transmitting influenza to persons at high risk is to vaccinate healthcare personnel and others in close contact with persons at high risk. The San Diego County Immunization Program conducted population-based random digit dialing telephone surveys to gather baseline immunization coverage levels on this community, their attitudes and barriers to the influenza vaccine, and sources of information.

OBJECTIVE:
Establish and monitor immunization coverage levels for healthcare workers and household contacts in San Diego County.

METHOD:
During the month of June 2003, interviews were completed with 185 persons aged 18 to 49 years who identified themselves as healthcare workers or household contacts of individuals at high risk, using the random digit dialing telephone survey methodology.

RESULT:
Of 1,483 respondents aged 18-49 years, 185 (12.5%) were health-care workers or household contacts. Based on self-report, influenza vaccine coverage levels were 47.1% and 20.3% for healthcare workers and household contacts, respectively. Only 41.7% of respondents thought they should get an annual flu shot. The number one prompt to health-care workers for obtaining the influenza immunization was the receipt of employer notice (48.5%).

CONCLUSION:
Low influenza coverage among the health-care workers could bring a serious health threat to patients. Educating health-care workers and working collaboratively with healthcare organizations would be a good start.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Describe the process for assessing coverage levels for health-care workers or household contacts aged 18 to 49 years in San Diego County.