The percentage of hospital staff who have been vaccinated against the flu has risen again. 33 percent of them had themselves vaccinated, compared to 24 percent in the previous flu season. A free flu vaccine has been offered to employees in all institutions.
Moreover, a campaign has been conducted to increase the vaccination rate in hospitals; it is low compared to the national average. Information has been given about the usefulness of vaccination.
Employees were sent a pinch in most institutions. They also received a small reward, such as a pen with the shape of a syringe or a healthy snack.
Heavy flu epidemic
The trade association the Dutch Association of Hospitals (NVZ) has set itself the goal of increasing the vaccination rate in hospitals to an average of 40 percent next year. Last year the number of hospital staff who had themselves vaccinated against the flu almost doubled; in the 2017-2018 season, 13 percent had a flu shot.
There was then a severe flu epidemic with possibly nearly 10,000 deaths and around 16,000 hospital admissions. Because many hospital staff also got the flu and stayed at home, capacity problems arose in a number of hospitals.
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