Background: Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for health care workers (HCWs) in many countries in order to reduce the morbidity associated with influenza in health care settings. However, compliance rates with influenza vaccination are commonly low.
Aims: To evaluate the current vaccination status of HCWs in Beijing, China, and examine their attitudes towards the disease and the vaccine.
Methods: In January 2009, a survey was completed by 1909 HCWs in emergency departments, infection fever clinics, respiratory ward/outpatient's clinics and pediatric medical departments of 24 hospitals in Beijing (99% response rate).
Results: Respondents were categorized into three main groups by occupation: nursing (60%, n = 1143), medical (36%, n = 693) and other (4%, n = 73). When examining beliefs about the influenza vaccine, 57% (n = 1081) felt it was safe and 54% (n = 1028) thought it was effective. Less than 18% stated that they had been immunized in 2008; 40% (n = 765) or participants agreed with the statement 'the flu vaccine can cause flu in some people'.
Conclusions: A better understanding of the barriers to vaccination in this population should facilitate the development of programs to make health care facilities a safer environment for both HCWs and patients.