Evaluation of the Immune Response to Influenza Vaccine in the Staff of Sina Hospital in Hamadan-Iran

The medical staff is recognized as a major target group for influenza vaccination by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education every year, according to the global guidelines for influenza treatment and control. The present study was designed and performed due to the importance of evaluating vaccine immunogenicity. This cross-sectional study was performed on 47 male and female healthcare workers of Sina Hospital in Hamadan, Iran, in 2020. The participants were selected from different occupational groups and hospital wards, using stratified and multi-stage quota sampling methods. The staff was compared in two stages (before and after influenza vaccination), based on positive antibody titers with respect to age and sex. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 16 at a 95% confidence level. The mean age of the participants was 36.04±8.80 years (male, 42.6%; female, 57.4%). Out of 47 individuals, 7 (14.9%) showed a positive immune response before vaccination, while after vaccination, this number increased to 36 (76.6%). The frequency of immune response was 72.5% after vaccination. There was no significant relationship between the immune response to the influenza vaccine and the patient’s age or sex. Based on the present results, nearly one-third of the hospital staff did not show an immune response to the seasonal flu vaccine. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate their immune responses following vaccination every year. Revaccination is also essential, besides determining the reasons for the lack of immunity.