25 Sep All Health Care Workers Should Receive Flu Vaccination Every Year

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Carla L. Black PhD
Immunization Services Division
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
CDC 

Medical Research: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Dr. Black: The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that all health-care personnel (HCP) be vaccinated annually against influenza. Vaccination of health-care personnel can reduce influenza-related morbidity and mortality among HCP and their patients. Overall, 77.3% of HCP reported receiving an influenza vaccination in the 2014-15 season, similar to the 75.2% coverage among HCP reported in the 2013-14 season. Coverage was highest among  health-care personnel working in hospitals (90.4%) and lowest among HCP working in long-term care (LTC) settings (63.9%).

Flu vaccination coverage was highest in settings with employer flu vaccination requirements and promotion of flu vaccination. Vaccination coverage was 96% among HCP with an employer requirement for vaccination. Among HCP without an employer requirement for vaccination, vaccination coverage was higher for HCP working in settings where vaccination was offered on-site at no cost for one day (73.6%) or multiple days (83.9%) compared with  health-care personnel  working in settings where vaccination was promoted but not offered on-site (59.5%) or not promoted in any manner (44.0%).

Medical Research: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Dr. Black: Health care personnel (HCP) should be vaccinated for flu every flu season to protect themselves, their patients, and their families from seasonal flu. Comprehensive, work-site intervention strategies that include education, promotion, and easy access to vaccination at no cost for multiple days can increase HCP vaccination coverage.

Medical Research: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Dr. Black: Future research should focus on more effective ways to increase vaccination uptake among  Health care personnel working in long-term care settings, who have lower vaccination coverage compared to their colleagues in other health care settings, even in work places where onsite vaccination is available.

Citation:

Influenza Vaccination Coverage Among Health Care Personnel — United States, 2014–15 Influenza Season

Weekly

September 18, 2015 / 64(36);993-999

Carla L. Black, PhD¹; Xin Yue, MPS, MS¹; Sarah W. Ball, ScD²; Sara M.A. Donahue, DrPH²; David Izrael, MS²; Marie A. de Perio, MD³; A. Scott Laney, PhD⁴;Walter W. Williams, MD¹; Megan C. Lindley, MPH¹; Samuel B. Graitcer, MD¹; Peng-jun Lu, MD, PhD¹; Carolyn B. Bridges, MD¹; Charles DiSogra, DrPH⁵; John Sokolowski, MA⁵; Deborah K. Walker, EdD²; Stacie M. Greby, DVM

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Carla L. Black PhD (2015). All Health Care Workers Should Receive Flu Vaccination Every Year 

Last Updated on September 25, 2015 by Marie Benz MD FAAD