Canadian researchers have said that campaigns can help persuade healthcare workers to get seasonal flu shots but requiring the unvaccinated to wear masks also works.

Seasonal influenza immunization rates among healthcare workers in Canada remain less than 50 percent, but it is recommended that at least 90 percent of those in healthcare who deal with patients be immunized to protect against the seasonal flu virus, says Dr. Larry Chambers of the Elisabeth Bruyere Research Institute in Ottawa and colleagues.

The researchers conducted a systematic review of 12 studies on healthcare seasonal flu vaccinations, but they did not look at pandemic influenza programs.

Published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, the study says in one hospital campaign in which staff completed a mandatory electronic form to decline vaccination, immunization coverage increased to 55 percent compared to the previous nine years which had rates of 21 percent to 38 percent.

Chambers says in a statement, "This review revealed gaps in the literature about the appropriate components to use to increase influenza immunization among health care personnel." (With Inputs from Agencies)