![[ Visit Client Website ]](images/banner.gif)
Background: The workplace is the most frequent site for adult influenza vaccination other than the physician’s office, making it an ideal site for interventions to increase vaccination. Two vaccines are approved for adults: the trivalent inactivated vaccine (TIV) for eligible adults ≥18 years of age and the live attenuated vaccine (LAIV) for eligible adults aged 18–49 years.
Objectives: None.
Methods: A randomized cluster-controlled trial was conducted during the 2008–2009 influenza season at a convenience sample of 53 geographically-diverse US employers with on-site, employer-sponsored influenza vaccine clinics. Employer inclusion criteria were size ≥60 employees, non-healthcare business, previous no-cost influenza clinics, and limited previous LAIV use. Clinics offered eligible employees a choice of TIV or LAIV. Vaccine recipients were asked to complete a survey regarding their influenza vaccine choice immediately after vaccination. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: Surveys were collected from 4274 of 5013 vaccine recipients (85%). 92% of respondents were full-time employees, 53% were female, 66% were aged 18–49 years. Occupation categories included professional (38%), administrative (23%), technical (15%) and laborer (9%). 76% of respondents had been vaccinated during the previous influenza season, 87% at work; 99% of respondents anticipated receiving an influenza vaccine during the next influenza season. 12% to 17% of employees chose LAIV; only 5% of employees stated that they had a medical condition that made them ineligible. 17% and 16% strongly agreed that they did not like needles or nasal sprays, respectively. 17% stated they would not have been vaccinated if only TIV had been offered.
Conclusions: Employer-based influenza clinics are attended primarily by healthy adults 18–49 years of age. Providing LAIV as an option may increase vaccination coverage in those who otherwise may not have been vaccinated.