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
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

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