[Influenza vaccination coverage (2011-2014) in healthcare workers from two health departments of the Valencian Community and hospital services more vulnerable to the flu.]

objectiveHealth care workers can transmit influenza to patients in health centers, therefore its vaccination is considered a preventive measure first order. The objective of this study was to know the coverage of vaccination against seasonal influenza in health professionals in two health departments of the Valencian Community (Torrevieja and Elx- Crevillent), in the seasons 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14.

methodsTA cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out to determine the coverage of influenza vaccination through the Nominal Vaccine Registry (NVR) of the Conselleria de Sanitat de la Generalitat Valenciana. The services with the highest risk of contagion were detected through requests for PCR analysis in patients suspected of influenza during the 2013-14 season.

resultsA total of 2035 health professionals were surveyed who achieved an average vaccination coverage of 27.2% in the 2013-14 season, showing an upward trend from the 2011-12 season. Significant differences were observed between professional categories and, practitioners presented the lowest coverage. A total of 192 PCR requests were recorded in both departments. The services which concentrate a greater number of requests were: Internal Medicine (n = 100), urgency service (n = 37), intensive care unit (n = 25) and Pediatrics ( n=154); The influenza vaccination coverage of these services in the 2013-14 seasons was 27.0%, 32.3%, 34.3% and 25.3%, respectively.

conclusionsAlthough they show an upward trend, vaccination coverage is low in health care personnel. Nurses are the best vaccinated. It would be appropriate to implement immunization strategies aimed specifically at services that, because of their activity, pose a greater risk to the patient.