A Time-motion Study Comparing Self- to Nurse-vaccination With Influenza Vaccine

Vaccination of healthcare workers has been shown to reduce mortality and morbidity in the patients they care for, as well as reducing illness and absenteeism in the healthcare workers themselves, and healthcare worker vaccination programs have been shown to be cost-effective for hospitals because of the reduced absenteeism. Although influenza vaccination programs based on nurse-administered intramuscular vaccination are effective, easy access to vaccination for hospital staff remains a challenge, in part because of large numbers of staff working evening, night and weekend shifts. In addition, in the Canadian setting, increasing the efficiency of all hospital programs is a priority. If regular recipients of seasonal vaccine became accustomed to the practice, self-administration may significantly improve the efficiency of pandemic mass vaccination campaigns.

Inclusion criteria

• Medically stable men or women 18 to 69 years of age (inclusive)
• Work in any capacity (including physicians and midwives with admitting privileges), volunteer, or student at participating hospital
• Able to read, understand, and respond to questionnaires
• Able to read, understand, and sign an informed consent form
• Available for follow-up for 8 days post-vaccination
• Participants in Part B (repeat administration) of the study must also have participated in the previous randomized control trial of self- versus nurse-administered intradermal influenza vaccine and must have attempted to self-administer the vaccine

Exclusion criteria

• Already received 2012-13 influenza vaccine
• History of a severe reaction following influenza vaccination
• Known allergy to components of study vaccines (Intanza® or Vaxigrip®)
• History of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) within 8 weeks following influenza vaccination
• Acute febrile illness (>37.9ºC orally) within the past 48 hours (participation may be deferred until recovery for these subjects)