Tailoring immunization programmes for seasonal influenza (TIP FLU). Understanding health care workers’ uptake of seasonal influenza vaccination in Montenegro: a case study for policy-makers and programme managers (2015)

Abstract

Seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) of health care workers (HCWs) is recommended to protect them and their patients from infection and to reduce the risk of hospital- or health-care-acquired influenza. Although annual vaccination of HCWs against seasonal influenza is recommended in most countries of the WHO European Region, vaccination uptake remains low. The WHO Regional Office for Europe tested a new approach, tailoring immunization programmes for seasonal influenza (TIP FLU), to design evidenceinformed solutions to increase uptake of SIV among HCWs. TIP FLU is grounded in behaviour change theories and health programme planning models, and provides tools for designing SIV programmes targeting HCWs, tailored to specific contexts and the needs of countries or health care institutions. This case study documents the application of TIP FLU in Montenegro, focusing on the formative phase. When accompanied by the TIP FLU guide, it can be used to apply the approach to conduct formative research, and design and evaluate SIV programmes targeting HCWs in a given context.