Promotion of seasonal influenza vaccination among staff in residential care homes for elderly in Hong Kong

H. Chen; Sammy Ng; Mark E. King; Carol Fong; W.P. Ng; K.H. Szeto; Sara Ho; Jane Leung; C.K. Lam; Shelley Chan; W.M. Chan; T.Y. Wong

doi:10.1071/HI10023

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Promotion of seasonal influenza vaccination among staff in residential care homes for elderly in Hong Kong

H. Chen ^A , Sammy Ng ^B , Mark E. King ^C , Carol Fong ^A , W.P. Ng ^A , K.H. Szeto ^A , Sara Ho ^A , Jane Leung ^A , C.K. Lam ^B , Shelley Chan ^B , W.M. Chan ^B and T.Y. Wong ^A ^D

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A Infection Control Branch, Centre for Health Protection, 147C, Argyle Street, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR.

^B Elderly Health Service (EHS) of the Department of Health, Room 3502-4, 35th Floor, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong SAR.

^C Faculty of Education, Pofulam Road, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR.

^D Corresponding author. Email: wongty1@ha.org.hk

Healthcare Infection 15(4) 121-125 https://doi.org/10.1071/HI10023
Submitted: 4 August 2010 Accepted: 6 September 2010 Published: 20 December 2010

Abstract

Annual influenza epidemics continue to cause worldwide morbidity, mortality and societal disruption, especially among the aged residents of residential care homes for the elderly (RCHEs). Vaccination remains the most effective measure to prevent influenza and its associated complications. The seasonal influenza vaccine uptake rates among RCHE staff were much lower than that among residents. In order to increase uptake of influenza vaccination among RCHE staff in Hong Kong, this study developed and evaluated a multimodal vaccine promotion program (VPP) based on identified factors affecting vaccination acceptance or refusal within the Hong Kong Chinese context. Vaccine acceptance was found to be significantly associated with belief in vaccine efficacy, duration of service, staff group and providing direct care to residents. The focus group study revealed that RCHE staff’s belief in the efficacy and safety of the vaccine played a major role in vaccine acceptance. VPP effectiveness was evaluated with a cluster randomised controlled trial among RCHEs with staff vaccination rates below 50%. Compared with 2008/09, the 2009/10 mean staff vaccination rates increased significantly in both the intervention (39.4% to 59.6% (P < 0.001)) and control groups (36.3% to 47.6% (P = 0.008)). RCHE staff in the intervention group had a higher vaccination rate than in the control group (59.6% versus 47.6%, P = 0.072). This program reinforces the importance of a comprehensive and culturally sensitive approach to promote influenza vaccination for RCHE staff.

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^A ^AHealthcare worker provides health care services for residents including routine health check, wound dressing, drug administration after completing the training course approved by the Director of Social Welfare and registered by the Social Welfare Department.

^B ^BCare worker provides personal care to residents such as bathing and feeding.