Vaccination coverage among laboratory personnel - health safety imperative for all

Aim

The objective of the study was to evaluate disparities in vaccination coverage among laboratory personnel in health care facilities and to identify risk factors for nonvaccination.

Materials and methods

A multicenter, quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2020 and February 2021. The validated bilingual questionnaire was distributed online through professional association networks. Descriptive and inferential statistics were included in the analysis.

Results

Of the 640 respondents, approximately one-third (30.9%) had received an annual influenza vaccination. Significantly higher vaccination coverage rates were reported for measles, tuberculosis, and hepatitis B (82.8%, 78.3%, and 72.5%, respectively). Influenza vaccination coverage was higher among LPs with higher education (p < 0.001), in microbiology laboratories (p = 0.009), in the private sector (p = 0.012), and twice as high in EU countries (p < 0.001). Measles vaccination coverage was lower among LPs older than 45 years (p < 0.001), had a college degree (p = 0.015), and were EU citizens (p = 0.002). Better tuberculosis vaccination coverage was found among LPs older than 45 years (p < 0.001), with higher educational degrees (p = 0.003), employed in microbiology laboratories (p = 0.004), and working in the private sector (p = 0.025). Hepatitis B vaccination coverage was higher among LPs under 45 years (p = 0.020), with higher levels of education (p = 0.003), and with respect to territorial affiliation (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The present study showed that the vaccination coverage rate was satisfactory for most LPs against hepatitis B, tuberculosis, and measles, while the coverage rate against influenza was low.