Influenza vaccination for hospital personnel in a neonatal intensive care unit and a pediatric unit

• Published in: International Congress series Vol. 1263; pp. 559 - 562
• Main Authors: Fujita, Yukihiko, Okada, Tsuyoshi, Minato, Michiyoshi, Okada, Tomoo, Okubo, Osami, Harada, Kensuke, Hosokawa, Naoto, Kumasaka, Kazunari, Maki, Yoko, Ohta, Tamami, Nakui, Kouko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.06.2004
• Subjects: Hospital personnel; Influenza vaccine; NICU; Pediatric unit; NICU; Pediatric unit; Hospital personnel; Influenza vaccine
• ISSN: 0531-5131; 1873-6157
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ics.2004.02.100

We have vaccinated hospital staff in an attempt to prevent an outbreak of influenza virus in our neonatal intensive care units (NICU) and pediatric unit. The aim of this study is to clarify the clinical utility of influenza vaccination, and to study the serum antibody titers of influenza virus following vaccination. The study population comprised all of the personnel working in two units. Each staff member was asked to complete a questionnaire, and the subjects recorded any adverse reactions for 4 months after vaccination. The measurement of influenza virus antibodies was done with consenting staff members 4 weeks after vaccination. Of all subjects, 113 (91.1%) (124) were vaccinated and 89 (78.8%) subjects were tested by antibody examination. The mean titers of Influenza A(H1N1), A(H3N2) and B were 354X, 356X and 151X, and 86.5%, 96.0% and 89.6% of subjects had protective titers. The incidences of local and systemic adverse effects of influenza vaccination were 38.9% and 0.9%. A high percentage of hospital personnel agreed to influenza vaccination for the next influenza season. This result indicates that hospital workers accept the recommendation of The Centers for Disease Control. Annual influenza vaccination may prevent the outbreak of influenza virus infections in NICU and pediatric units.