Tracking Our Progress: Minnesota's Healthcare Setting Influenza Vaccination Program Survey

Background: Studies show that only 45% of the healthcare workers in the nation were vaccinated against influenza during the ‘06-‘07 season. In 2007, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) established a goal of a 90% vaccination rate for healthcare personnel (HCP) in Minnesota. In setting this goal, MDH encourages all employers of HCP to develop programs that provide influenza education, as well as opportunities for vaccination and incentives to be vaccinated. Evaluation of HCP influenza vaccination rates is a critical component of meeting this goal.

Objectives: To collect:

• Minnesota-specific employee influenza vaccination rates in health care settings;
• Information on various employee influenza vaccination program activities used by facilities;
• Data on the perceived barriers to vaccination; and
• Baseline information on utilization/usefulness of the Minnesota Immunization Information Connection (MIIC), our statewide immunization registry, for tracking employee influenza vaccinations.

Methods: As part of a larger project to increase HCP influenza immunization coverage rates, an online survey of all hospitals and long-term care facilities in Minnesota was conducted in 2009. 280 facilities were surveyed, with a 62% response rate.

Results: Overall healthcare setting employee influenza vaccination rate (2009) was 70.1%. 70% of facilities surveyed used declination forms for employee vaccination during the 2008-09 season. Of facilities that used declination forms, 73% made the forms mandatory. Vaccination rates averaged 15 percentage points higher in facilities that used declination forms, as opposed to those that did not use the forms. Vaccination program characteristics of facilities with high vaccination rates (close to or > 90%) were analyzed.

Conclusions:  Survey results have provided healthcare facilities a benchmark to mark progress as they improve their employee vaccination programs. Declination forms and specific program activities are associated with higher HCP influenza immunization rates.