News and briefs: Number of healthcare providers getting influenza vaccine stagnant

During the 2009-10 influenza season, 61.9% of healthcare providers received a seasonal influenza shot. For the 2010-11 season, this number increased only slightly to 63.5%, according to surveys conducted by the CDC. Thirteen percent of survey respondents said their organization required vaccination, and of that group, 98% complied with the requirement. Of the respondents not required to get vaccinated, greater coverage was associated with organizations that either offered the vaccine free of charge, for more than one day, or sent personal reminders to employees. Vaccination coverage was highest among respondents that work in hospitals (71%), compared to ambulatory and outpatient settings (61.5%), and patient homes (53.6%). To read more about how personal beliefs about the influenza vaccination differed greatly among those vaccinated and those who were not, click here.