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Background: Several studies have revealed low vaccinations coverage among health-care workers (HCWs) for all vaccinations. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of the implementation of an on-site vaccination-dedicated clinic on the vaccination coverage rates of HCWs., Research Design and Methods: A quasi-experimental pre-post intervention study was carried out among undergraduate and postgraduate students attending medical and health-care professions schools., Results: We enrolled 804 students, 404 in the control and 400 in the experimental group. A significantly higher increase of vaccination coverage in the experimental group than in the control group for all the investigated vaccinations ( p < 0.001) was found. The odds of adherence to vaccinations in the experimental group, compared to the control group, ranged from 6.9-fold (95% CI 3.51-13.44) to 18.9-fold (95% CI 10.85-32.96). The increase in the coverage rate in the control group was between 2.5% and 3.5%, whereas in the experimental group, higher increases were found, ranging from 34.8% to 71%., Conclusions: The extraordinary increase in the adherence to HCWs recommended vaccinations found in the study seems to indicate a significant role of enabling factors in the complex process of decision-making and implementation of health-related behaviors.

Patients with anatomic or functional asplenia have a 10-50 times higher risk than general population to develop Overwhelming Post-Splenectomy Infection. Evidences are unanimous in recommending splenectomised patients to receive meningococcal, antipneumococcal and Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccinations according to a specific timing. In Italy there are no current data on the immunisation coverage in these patients. This study aims to investigate immunisation coverage in patients undergoing elective or urgent splenectomy for 2012-2013 in the 3 Apulian hospitals. The patients discharged with the code ICD-9-CM 41.5 - "Total splenectomy" were enrolled. The administration of vaccines was verified through consultation of medical records, archives of general practitioners and vaccination offices. In the study period, 166 subjects underwent splenectomy and none of them received vaccinations during hospitalization. 25 splenectomised patients (15.1%) received at least one of the recommended vaccinations. 21 patients (12.6%) received vaccine against Streptococcus pneumonia, 13 (7.8%) meningococcal vaccine, 10 patients (6%) Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine. The low vaccination coverage could be due both to poor perception of the risk of infection and to a lack of knowledge on vaccinations by surgeons. For this reason it is necessary to draw up and share operational protocols that establish the administration of vaccines.