Assessing the Low Influenza Vaccination Coverage Rate Among Healthcare Personnel in India: A Review of Obstacles, Beliefs, and Strategies.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Most countries recommend that their healthcare personnel be vaccinated against influenza in order to protect themselves as well as their patients. However despite the strong scientific rationale, recommendations and advocacy from health organizations, influenza vaccination coverage among healthcare personnel remains low. This has been attributed to various obstacles and a range of strategies have been implemented to increase uptake with varying levels of success. OBJECTIVES: To highlight the vaccination coverage, beliefs, and obstacles among healthcare personnel in India and to discuss strategies that can be implemented to improve influenza vaccination coverage. CONCLUSIONS: Various barriers are responsible for the low influenza vaccination coverage among Indian healthcare personnel. Many interventions are being practiced, but they need to be multidimensional keeping in mind that healthcare personnel value their autonomy in making decisions about vaccinations.