[Effect of influenza vaccination in Primary Healthcare workers and the general population in Gran Canaria: A cross-sectional study].

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the effect of the influenza vaccination in Primary Healthcare workers and the general population vaccinated during the 2015/2016 campaign.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

All the Primary Healthcare centres within the Gran Canaria healthcare region.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 1,868 Primary Healthcare workers (33.5% men; 66.5% women) and 795,605 individuals from the general population (49.4% men; 50.6% women).

PRINCIPAL MEASUREMENTS

The outcome variables in Primary Healthcare workers were: influenza cases reported to the Epidemiological Surveillance System, and the sick leave days due to illness. In the general population: reported flu cases and vaccination coverage in connection with the vaccination status of the healthcare professional. The magnitude of association between vaccination and morbidity was estimated applying logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Although not statistically significant, healthcare professionals that were not vaccinated had 1.7-fold increase in the risk of having influenza than those vaccinated. In the general population the association was significant in the female population (OR: 1.3; 95%CI: 1.1-1.5). Population coverage was significantly higher when both the doctor and nurse were vaccinated (OR: 1.3; 95%CI: 1.3-1.3), and reported flu cases decreased when the nurse was vaccinated (OR: 0.9; 95%CI: 0.9-0.9).

CONCLUSION

A possible protective effect of influenza vaccination was observed in the general population, as well as an influence of Primary Healthcare workers on the patients regarding this. Even so, the low coverages registered point to a need to implement measures that may lead to a more favourable attitude towards influenza vaccination.