RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Little is known about childcare agency staff vaccination requirements, parents' perceptions of these requirements, or vaccine uptake in these populations. METHODS: A questionnaire was administered to St Louis parents and childcare agency staff in fall of 2014. The χ(2) tests compared staff's versus parents' uptake of hepatitis A, pertussis, and seasonal influenza vaccines. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine individuals being fully immunized (ie, having received influenza, hepatitis A, and pertussis vaccines). RESULTS: Overall, 351 parents and staff from 23 agencies participated (response rate, 32%). One-third of staff (34.4%, n = 33) and parents (37.6%, n = 96) were fully immunized. Parents and staff were equally likely to have received the influenza vaccine (48.8% and 47.3%, respectively), but more staff received the hepatitis A vaccine (85.3% vs 67.5%, χ(2)=11.0, P < .001), and more parents received the pertussis vaccine (66.5% vs 45.8%, χ(2)=12.5, P < .001). Determinants of being fully immunized included having previously received the influenza vaccine, being offered the vaccines, belief that vaccination is important, having immunization recommendation awareness, and not having vaccine misperceptions. CONCLUSIONS: Childcare agency staff vaccination can protect employees and children from disease, but their uptake of vaccines needs improvement. Future interventions should be aimed at increasing uptake to lower disease transmission in childcare settings.
Asunto(s)
Guarderías Infantiles , Política Organizacional , Padres , Vacunación/estadística & datos numéricos , Adulto , Anciano , Preescolar , Femenino , Humanos , Lactante , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Vaccine-preventable diseases pose a significant risk to children in childcare. However, few regulations exist regarding childcare staff vaccination. This study aimed to assess support for a childcare agency staff mandatory vaccination policy. METHODS: Surveys were distributed to staff and parents at 23 St Louis, Mo, childcare agencies during fall 2014. Staff and parents' support for a mandatory vaccination and/or agency certification program were compared using χ(2) tests. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted using a 2-level nested design and controlling for gender, race, age, and income to determine predictive models for support for a mandatory staff vaccination policy and/or agency certification program. RESULTS: Overall, 354 parents and staff participated (response rate, 32%). Most supported a mandatory staff vaccination policy (80.0%; n = 280) or agency certification program (81.2%; n = 285), and there were no differences between parents versus staff. Determinants of support for a mandatory policy included willingness to receive influenza vaccine annually, belief that vaccines are safe and effective, and support for the policy only if there were no costs. CONCLUSIONS: There is strong support for some type of childcare agency staff vaccination policy. Implementing such a policy/program should be a collaborative endeavor that addresses vaccine cost and access.