Healthcare Workers' Perceptions of an Influenza Immunization Campaign

Abstract

Unimmunized healthcare workers (HCW) are at risk of transmitting influenza to the vulnerable population for whom they provide care. Health organizations’ influenza campaigns are often developed using theories of behavior change. The Health Belief Model (HBM) was used in this study as a framework to evaluate the effectiveness of influenza immunization campaign interventions that may include accessibility, messaging, education, and management support. Despite the evidence that influenza immunization is effective in decreasing morbidity, mortality, and facility outbreaks, HCWs’ influenza immunization uptake remains below protective targets. The purpose of this study was to explore HCWs’ perceptions of one health organization’s influenza immunization campaign and the effectiveness of interventions designed to change HCWs' beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors towards influenza vaccine uptake. A qualitative exploratory case study was used to explore whether the influenza campaign interventions had the desired effect. Four main themes emerged from the study, including the perceptions of convenience, communication, management support, and personal choice. The influenza campaign interventions found to be most effective were email and posters.