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Methods We collected information about HCWs vaccination policies and regulation implemented through laws and also data about specific vaccination (seasonal influenza, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella and varicella). We conducted 5 focus groups with 39 participants (nurses, physicians, infection control personnel, public health and policy makers), as part of the HProImmune (Promotion of Immunizations for Health professionals in Europe) project activities, in order to understand the risk perception behaviors towards vaccination and barriers stopping HCWs from immunization. We followed for each focus group a specific discussion guide elaborated by the HProImmune project.

Background Varicella is a viral disease which can be easily prevented through vaccination. In European Union the surveillance systems for varicella and herpes zoster are highly heterogeneous or absent and seventeen countries have recommendations on varicella vaccination. In Romania varicella vaccination is not included in the National Immunization Program (NIP), although a major number of cases are reported annually. Our aim is to provide an overview of surveillance system and epidemiological issues of varicella in Romania in the last 10 years (2004-2013).

Background The National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Prof. Dr. Matei Bals” is participating during 2012-2014 in the European project “HProImmune Promotion of immunization among health care workers in Europe”, coordinated by the Institute of Preventive Medicine, Environmental and Occupational Health, Prolepsis from Greece and co-funded by DG SANCO Public Health Work Program 2008-2013. The general objective of this project is to promote vaccination coverage of health care workers (HCWs) in different health care settings by developing a tailored communication toolkit.