Effects of Influenza Vaccination of Health Care Workers in Nursing Homes
Author Information
Author(s): Carline van den Dool, Marc J. M. Bonten, Eelko Hak, Janneke C. M. Heijne, Jacco Wallinga
Primary Institution: University Medical Center Utrecht
Hypothesis
What is the relationship between increased vaccine uptake among health care workers and protection of patients in nursing homes?
Conclusion
Vaccination of every additional health care worker protects an additional fraction of patients, but no herd immunity is achieved.
Supporting Evidence
- Approximately 60% of influenza virus infections among patients can be prevented when the HCW vaccination rate increases from 0 to 1.
- Seven HCWs need to be vaccinated to protect one patient from influenza virus infection.
- The absence of herd immunity implies that every additional HCW vaccination provides further protection to patients.
Takeaway
Getting more health care workers vaccinated helps protect patients in nursing homes from the flu, but even if all workers are vaccinated, some patients can still get sick.
Methodology
A stochastic individual-based model was used to simulate influenza virus transmission in a 30-bed nursing home department.
Potential Biases
The model may underestimate the impact of HCW vaccination due to its assumptions about population homogeneity.
Limitations
The model assumes all individuals are equally infectious or susceptible and does not account for connections between departments.
Participant Demographics
Nursing home patients and health care workers in a Dutch long-term care facility.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
73% (95% CI 53%–84%) for HCW vaccine efficacy.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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