DHBS working to boost 'flu vaccination rates.

Fourteen district health boards (DHBs) have responded to NZNO's request for information on their influenza ('flu) vaccination programmes. NZNO's chief executive Geoff Annals wrote to all DHB chief executives last month asking for this information, so it could be distributed to NZNO members. This was seen as one way of boosting 'flu vaccination among nurses.

NZNO policy analyst Eileen Brown said the DHBs that replied had comprehensive vaccination programmes, with real efforts made to cover afternoon and night shift staff and those who worked at weekends.

A common theme in the 14 replies was of concern about the confusion created by the controversy related to the vaccine and the doubt in some people's mind about the efficacy of the vaccination because of that controversy.

This had adversely affected the vaccination programme in some DHBs. Vaccination rates for non clinical staff were higher than for clinical staff in many of the DHBs. The number of vaccinators available in two of the DHBs had been reduced because of the clash with Meningoccocal B vaccination programme rollout.

Brown said very worthwhile information had been gathered and many of the DHBs had commented positively on the lead NZNO had taken in supporting nurses' access to 'flu vaccination.