Abstract

Influenza represents a threat to global health and health care workers (HCWs) have an increased risk of contracting the influenza virus in the workplace. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought back the importance of influenza vaccination, as the influenza virus can circulate together with SARS-CoV-2. The aim of this report is to describe the actual flu vaccination coverage among healthcare workers of a research hospital and the trend changes, with respect to the past flu vaccination campaigns, in light of the present pandemic and COVID-19 vaccination. A Pearson’s χ2 test was used to test the correlation of flu vaccination coverage, across all professional categories, between the last two years. A linear regression model was adopted to predict the total vaccination coverage of this year. A statistically significant decrease (p < 0.01) was observed in vaccination coverage among all the professional categories with a 50% reduction in vaccination trends between the last two years. Analyzing the data from the previous six flu vaccination campaigns, the expected value, according to the linear regression model, was estimated to be 38.5% while the observed value was 24%. The decrease in vaccination coverage may be due to the fear of the pandemic situation and especially to the uncertainty related to the consequences of a concurrent administration which may overload the immune system or may be more reactogenic. The COVID-19 pandemic represents an opportunity to promote and support large-scale influenza vaccination among HCWs through structured programs, adequate funding, and tailored communication strategies.

MeSH

Vaccines, Immunization Programs, Public Health, Vaccination, Covid-19, Influenza, Human, Viruses, Health Personnel, Research, Pandemics, Vaccination Coverage, Orthomyxoviridae

Cited by

• COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage and Associated Factors in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis. Vaccines (Basel), 2024
• Combining Influenza and COVID-19 Booster Vaccination Strategy to Improve Vaccination Uptake Necessary for Managing the Health Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Vaccines (Basel), 2023
• Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a co-formulated two-in-one inactivated whole virus particle COVID-19/influenza vaccine. Sci Rep, 2024
• Attitudes toward influenza vaccination in healthcare workers in Italy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Vaccin Immunother, 2023
• Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on influenza vaccination rates among healthcare workers and the general population in Saudi Arabia: A meta-analysis. Hum Vaccin Immunother, 2025
• Medical Residents' Behaviours toward Compulsory COVID-19 Vaccination in a Tertiary Hospital in Italy. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2022
• Estimated Effectiveness of Coadministration of the BNT162b2 BA.4/5 COVID-19 Vaccine With Influenza Vaccine. JAMA Netw Open, 2023
• Assessing vaccine coverage and delivery strategies for influenza and COVID-19 among Italian healthcare workers: A 2015-2023 case study. Hum Vaccin Immunother, 2025
• Declining influenza vaccination rates in an underserved pediatric primary care center during the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccine, 2022
• Increasing Influenza Vaccination Uptake by Sending Reminders: A Representative Cross-Sectional Study on the Preferences of Italian Adults. Vaccines (Basel), 2023
• Three-year COVID-19 and flu vaccinations among medical residents in a tertiary hospital in Italy: The threat of acceptance decline in seasonal campaigns. Hum Vaccin Immunother, 2023
• Co-administration of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza vaccines in healthcare workers: Results of two vaccination campaigns in a large teaching hospital in Rome. Hum Vaccin Immunother, 2023