Dr Stephanie Tanamas1, Associate Professor Noleen Bennett1, Ms. Sarah Bird2, Mr. Nick Wilson2, Associate Professor Leon Worth1, Dr Ann Bull1, Dr Sanne Peters3, Dr Lyn-Li Lim1
1VICNISS Coordinating Centre, Melbourne, Australia, 2Victorian Department of Health, Melbourne, Australia, 3School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
Biography:
Dr. Tanamas commenced her role with VICNISS Coordinating Centre in 2022, assuming the position of Epidemiologist. Dr. Tanamas earned her PhD in Epidemiology in 2012 and spent two years as a Visiting Research Fellow at The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (Phoenix, USA). Prior to her current role, she served as an Epidemiologist and Data Analyst at both the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute and World Mosquito Program Pty Ltd. In these capacities, she spearheaded various national and international epidemiological studies, overseeing all aspects from project inception to execution and data interpretation.
Abstract:
Introduction
In 2022 the Secretary of the Victorian Department of Health issued Secretary Directions requiring specified healthcare workers (HCW) in prescribed healthcare settings to be vaccinated against influenza by 15 August each year.
We aim to describe the impact of this mandate on health service staff responsible for implementing the HCW influenza vaccination requirement in 2022/2023.
Methods
Participants were identified from the Victorian Healthcare-associated Infection Surveillance System database and invited to take part in focus groups.
Focus groups followed a semi-structured interview guide with participants’ experiences captured according to:
– difference from pre-mandate
– implementation measures that were introduced/changed
– challenges/enablers to implementation.
Data analysis included the theoretical framework for acceptability of healthcare interventions.
Results
27 participants representing metropolitan, regional, public and private healthcare organisations took part. Participants accepted that influenza vaccination was important for HCWs and that including it as a condition of employment was ethical. Participants described program delivery as acceptable and implementation as supported by their organisation’s leadership group and human resources teams. Key challenges included lack of enforceable consequences and greater administrative burden. An increased focus was required on reducing the HCW group with ‘unknown’ vaccination status and ensuring sufficient resources were allocated to the program.
Conclusion
Introduction of the influenza vaccine Secretary Directions helped to prioritise HCW influenza vaccination programs, increasing accountability of leadership and human resource departments. It was anticipated that future improvements in technological solutions would result in the biggest difference to programs by streamlining documentation and reducing HCWs with ‘unknown’ vaccination status.