No abstract available.
Influenza Vaccines* ; Influenza, Human*

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at most risk of contracting influenza and COVID-19 at their workplace. Despite the well established benefits and strong recommendations for influenza vaccination especially during this COVID-19 pandemic, uptake of this vaccine among HCWs appears to be low and decreasing. Objective: This study aimed to determine the factors that affect the uptake of Influenza vaccine among HCWs in the clinical setting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire among physicians and allied staff from a chain of primary care clinics. The questionnaire consisted of multiple choice questions covering baseline demographic data, uptake of Influenza vaccine, factors affecting uptake, awareness and perceptions about vaccination. Sample size was 133, with intent to include all HCWs. Independent T-test and Pearson’s Chi-square test were performed to compare the baseline sociodemographic profiles and perception of influenza. Binary logistic regression was performed to analyze the factors associated with influenza uptake. Results: Among 143 participants, 66 were vaccinated. Occupation (p = 0.009) and having been vaccinated with influenza in the past (p<0.001) were significantly associated with influenza vaccine uptake. Physicians were five times more likely to get vaccinated compared to Pharmacists (p = 0.006). Perceptions regarding influenza show no significant association with the uptake of vaccination. Conclusion Physicians and nurses were more likely to get vaccinated against influenza during the Covid-19 pandemic. Perceived significant exposure to influenza, with direct patient contact or care and more knowledge regarding influenza may be contributory factors. Vaccination may be included not just in company or institutional policies, but also in national health programs. Awareness campaigns can be instituted. Empathy training may help to constantly remind HCWs that they can expose sick patients to influenza and other communicable diseases.
Influenza Vaccines ; Health Personnel

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

COVID-19 pandemic gave rise to an increase in demand for pneumococcal and influenza vaccines. Several approaches to improve vaccination rates among different populations were investigated to address this need. Social media may be used as a platform to promote and improve vaccination rates. The study aimed to determine the effect of social media promotion, on the number of patients requesting vaccination in a government tertiary hospital.

The study was conducted using a quasi-experimental design. A telehealth-based vaccination delivery system was established. The need for vaccination against flu and pneumonia was then promoted on a social media platform during the first month of the study. Posters on the risk of not being vaccinated and safety profile of vaccines were added on the second month. The number of requests for vaccination for each month was compared. Social media metrics of the two months of the study were likewise described.

A total of 23 requests for vaccination were recorded, 11 on the first month and 12 on the second month. When a boost in advertising for the posts was implemented, twice as many requests were made during the third week of the second month as compared to the previous month (5 vs 10). Social media promotion with poster showed higher average in reach, engagement and comments per week than without poster. The mean differences among the social media metrics, however, were not statistically significant.

Promotion with posters resulted in a slight increase in number of vaccination requests. Further increase in requests may require a more refined social media promotional strategy.

The seasonal influenza vaccine programs in many regions aimed to protect most vulnerable population, but current trivalent influenza vaccine does not provide sufficient effectiveness among people under high risk for severe outcome of the influenza. The vaccine herd effect (VHE) is the extra protection of non-immune high risk persons, with increase of immunity among vaccinated healthier persons which prevents circulation of influenza in the community. Accumulating evidences are supporting the immunization of extended population with regard to the VHE.
Humans ; Immunization ; Influenza Vaccines ; Influenza, Human* ; Seasons* ; Vulnerable Populations

PURPOSE: Although influenza is regarded as one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in children with cancer, the actual vaccine coverage remains poor. We conducted evaluation of immunogenicity and safety of influenza vaccine in children with cancer. METHODS: In this study, 25 children with cancer who received influenza vaccine (SK influenza IX vaccine(R)) at the Korea Cancer Center Hospital between October and December 2009 were analyzed. Blood samples of patients were collected twice (at the beginning of this study and at 30th day after vaccination) and their antibody titers were measured using the hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) assay. Immunogenicity of the influenza vaccine was assessed by seroprotection rate on days 0 and 30, seroconversion rate on day 30, and mean fold increase (MFI) of geometric mean titer (GMT) of HI between days 0 and 30. RESULTS: Any of the subjects in our study did not experienced serious adverse events after influenza vaccination. Seroprotection rates were 68% for H1N1, 40% for H3N2, and 36% for B. Seroconversion rates were 12% for H1N1, 16% for H3N2, and 20% for B. MFIs were 0.9 for H1N1, 1.2 for H3N2, and 1.8 for B. CONCLUSION: In the study, we found a limited protective immune response to influenza vaccine, among subjects with cancer. However, some subjects showed seroconversion, and there were no severe adverse events among all subjects, supporting the recommendation of annual influenza vaccination in children with cancer.
Child ; Humans ; Influenza Vaccines ; Influenza, Human ; Korea ; Vaccination

Background: A/H5N1 influenza virus spreads from birds to humans and cause influenza diseases with high mortality rate. Vaccination is the most effective way to protect communities from pandemic, reduce morbidity and mortality. The study of creating A/H5N1 influenza vaccines in conformity with Vietnam was the urgent need. Institute of Vaccine\u2019s Achievement (IVAC) studied production of inactivated influenza vaccine for human on egg-grown from reassortants NIBRG-14. Objectives: In order to produce experimentally A/H5N1 influenza vaccine for human in accordance with WHO requirements and set up a viable process for production of the vaccines. Subjects and method: 10 days embryonated eggs and NIBRG-14 strains were served to the study with LAL method to check endotoxin, Kijehdal method to test total protein. Results: IVAC had produced successfully 5 lots of absorbed vaccine A/H5N1 (FLUVAC) using NIBRG-14 strains and embryonated eggs. Initially, production and quality control processes had been set up at IVAC by applying the recommendations of WHO. Conclusion: The success of the study was a basis of the approval of the government to establish a influenza vaccine manufacturing facilities.
Influenza A Virus ; H5N1 Subtype ; Influenza Vaccines ; Humans ; Eggs

China ; Humans ; Influenza Vaccines ; administration & dosage ; Influenza, Human ; prevention & control

Four months have passed since the World Health Organization declared worldwide pandemic by the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus, but the incidence rate does not seem to dwindle and each day we are faced with news from all around the world on death by this troublesome virus. Pandemic influenza vaccine is considered one of the most effective countermeasures for protecting susceptible individuals. However, it is envisaged that production of sufficient vaccine within an ideal timeframe will not be feasible, and thus, vaccine supply is expected to fall short of demand. Therefore, it is mandatory to establish a proper vaccine strategy for maximizing the effect of pandemic influenza vaccine. In this article, we have described many critical points that should be taken into consideration when establishing pandemic vaccine strategies based on the newest data and the strategies adopted by other countries.
Incidence ; Influenza Vaccines ; Influenza, Human ; Pandemics ; Viruses ; World Health Organization

Four months have passed since the World Health Organization declared worldwide pandemic by the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus, but the incidence rate does not seem to dwindle and each day we are faced with news from all around the world on death by this troublesome virus. Pandemic influenza vaccine is considered one of the most effective countermeasures for protecting susceptible individuals. However, it is envisaged that production of sufficient vaccine within an ideal timeframe will not be feasible, and thus, vaccine supply is expected to fall short of demand. Therefore, it is mandatory to establish a proper vaccine strategy for maximizing the effect of pandemic influenza vaccine. In this article, we have described many critical points that should be taken into consideration when establishing pandemic vaccine strategies based on the newest data and the strategies adopted by other countries.
Incidence ; Influenza Vaccines ; Influenza, Human ; Pandemics ; Viruses ; World Health Organization

It has been 100 years since the 1918 influenza pandemic but influenza is still an uncontrolled infectious disease. In some developed countries, the coverage rate of influenza vaccine can reach as high as 60%-70%, and even up to 90% or higher in some specific population, such as the elderly and healthcare workers. The coverage rate of influenza vaccination in Chinese people, however, is very low, only about 2%-3% per year. The limitations of influenza vaccine, and the purpose and significance of influenza vaccination, the imbalance of vaccine information and the importance of inoculation for healthcare workers are discussed in this paper. The resistance to popularize influenza vaccination is explored from different perspectives. It is hoped that more people will recognize the objective epidemiological data, and get rid of misunderstandings based on their experiences. Healthcare workers in particular, and the general population, should be encouraged to have an influenza vaccination.
Health Personnel ; Humans ; Influenza Vaccines ; Influenza, Human ; Vaccination