Evaluation of health-care worker vaccination in a tertiary Australian hospital

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Maintaining a complete vaccination status for health-care workers (HCWs) is important to minimize morbidity among staff and patients. Despite recommendations from public-health authorities to support this process, not all hospitals have adequate policy and practice in place. AIMS: To independently assess the implementation and impact of a new policy aimed at improving HCW vaccination coverage in a tertiary Victorian hospital. METHODS: Two cross-sectional surveys were conducted by telephone in July and October 2000 for a random sample of HCWs, before and after the introduction of the policy. These surveys examined knowledge, attitudes and practices surrounding vaccination and self..