Review Article
Saridi M, Toska A, Souliotis K
Abstract
Background: According to the CDC and the Greek Disease Control and Prevention Center recommendations, every Health Professional should be vaccinated against Hepatitis B and Tetanus. A regular screening for Tuberculosis may be held by the hospital infection control unit. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate health care professionals’ compliance to vaccination coverage in order to organize a vaccination schedule. Method: Our sample consists of 338 professionals working in the General Hospital of Korinthos. The study duration was 2 years. A vaccination schedule has been activated against Hepatitis B and Tetanus, and in some cases a pre-existing schedule was carried on, according to each professional’s personal vaccination history. Results: 59.8% of the sample was nurses, 19.5% were physicians, 7.4% were members of the Technical Services, 6.5% were members of the Cleaning Staff, and 3.8% were members of the Administrative Services. 58.6% of the sample were vaccinated against Hepatitis B, while only 15.4% were vaccinated against Tetanus. Anti-HBs positive were 47.6%. Only a small percentage of them were HBsAg-positive (1.2%), 6.5% of them were also Anti- HBc-positive, and only 0.3% was Anti-HCV-positive. A Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Test was performed on 27.5% of the sample and 28% of them were found positive; after a thorough clinical examination, no TB infection was detected. Conclusions: The investigation of health care professionals’ compliance to vaccination coverage contributed to the success of the vaccination schedule.