Statewide Push to Vaccinate Health Care Workers Against Flu Begins December 6, 2011 News, Public Health flu, Influenza, vaccination 0 Highlighting the importance of flu vaccinations in reducing the risks of illness and infections among patients, a coalition of state public health officials have joined with CMA/local medical societies and a group of statewide health care providers to urge all health care workers to get their annual flu shots during National Influenza Vaccination Week (December 4 to 10). The letter was distributed to hospitals, nursing homes and physician groups. Co-signers with CMA included the California Department of Public Health, California Hospital Association, California Association of Health Facilities, California Association of Physician Groups and the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology California Coordinating Council. Influenza is responsible for 200,000 hospital admissions and 36,000 deaths nationwide every year. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaccination of all health care workers is strongly recommended to prevent transmission of the illness to patients, especially those with long-term medical conditions who are at high risk for serious complications from the flu. The CDC recommends that all health care workers – even those who are not directly involved in patient care (e.g., clerical, housekeeping and administrative staff, volunteers, etc.) – be vaccinated annually. According to the CDC, influenza outbreaks in hospitals and long-term care facilities have been attributed to low vaccination rates among health care workers in those facilities. When an employer mandate is in effect, vaccination rates typically exceed 98 percent. Most health care facilities, including hospitals and skilled nursing homes, are required to offer annual flu vaccines to health care workers and volunteers at no cost. Those who refuse to be vaccinated must sign a written declaration. Despite these requirements, however, the overall vaccination rate for health care workers in all settings remains low. Comments are closed.
