Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
By the end of this presentation, participants will be able to describe the effects of a NICU-based influenza campaign on healthcare worker immunization rates.

Background:
Infants <6 months of age with influenza -- particularly NICU graduates -- demonstrate significant morbidity. TIV is indicated for healthcare workers and contacts of these infants. However the influenza vaccination rate in this population is 35+4%. To eliminate these barriers, we implemented NICU-based administration of TIV, targeted at parents of newborn patients.

Objectives:
To determine the secondary effect of TIV availability in the NICU on healthcare worker immunization rates.

Methods:
For the 2005-06 seaso, NICU parents were screened, given informed consent and administered TIV. Neonatal healthcare workers were similarly screened and vaccination was available 20hrs/day. Immunization history, co-morbid conditions and other risk factors for influenza were also obtained. Reasons for refusal were also assessed.

Results:
112 of 130 (86%) of healthcare workers were screened during the 2005-06 season with a 67% vaccination rate as compared to 41% prior to implementation (p<0.03, Student's T-test). Forty-five percent of the study population received TIV in the NICU as compared with 14.2%. 46% of the nursing staff was immunized in the NICU. Residents and staff demonstrated high rates of vaccination. Senior physicians were the least immunized group.
Nurses were more likely to refuse influenza vaccination based on fear of injection and belief in “never getting sick” while physicians cited efficacy and/or side effects. Immunization rate did not correlate to the number of risk factors a healthcare worker had for obtaining influenza vaccination.


Conclusions:
Administration of TIV in the NICU is an effective means of increasing vaccination rates in neonatal healthcare workers. However to increase compliance, educational efforts for nurses should emphasize the likelihood of viral transmission to neonates as motivation for immunization. Physician-directed efforts should include tolerability of vaccine side-effects.