Immunization programs for hospital healthcare workers in Northern-Italy, can we do more?

Background: Coverage for vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Italy remains low, and WHO strongly recommends to tailor immunization programs to tackle hesitancy. Aim of the study was to investigate HCW- specific immunization programs within Friuli Venezia Giulia (FVG) Region in order to plan new common strategies. Methods: In December 2019 we collected information about FVG hospitals and HCWs immunization programs conducted within each of them, including: number of HCWs employed, monitored VPDs, immunization assumption, vaccination strategies and refusers management. Results: We obtained data from 7/7 hospitals, for a total of 12,557 employed HCWs (average 1,794; range 467-3,922); 2 hospitals are academic centers, while 2 are research institutions. All hospitals have immunization programs for measles, mumps, rubella; the majority for hepatitis B (6/7); 5 for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, chicken pox. Presumptive evidence of immunity is established when written vaccination documenta- tion is available or in presence of laboratory evidence. HCWs immunization programs are responsibility of the occupational doctor in most hospitals (6/7). Vaccination promotion strategies include: mail or email personal invitation, training courses, video and notice display on hospital website, reminders. Most hospitals set up a dedicated vaccination service located in a hospital common area (4) or outside the hospital (2); one hospital also offered ward on-site vaccination. For airborne or droplets transmission diseases, refusers are asked to wear a mask during shift in 2 hospitals. Conclusions: HCWs immunization programs in FVG Region are hetero- geneous, and their specific effectiveness has to be studied yet. This study represents the first step in the process of FVG hospitals engagement in sharing effective actions in order to plan a new regional strategy for HWCs immunization. Key messages: The investigation of effective strategies conducted in different FVG hospitals is essential for their scaling-up evaluation. A common regional plan for healthcare workers immunization is needed to tackle hesitancy and reduce infectious risk within hospitals.