Allergies, Asthma, Author Interviews, Flu - Influenza, Pediatrics, Vaccine Studies / 14.11.2016

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Deepa Patadia, MD Wexner Medical Center The Ohio State University MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: Influenza vaccination is recommended every autumn for all children 6 months of age and older. It is particularly important for children with asthma, who are at high risk of hospitalization or severe illness if they contract influenza infection. The rates of influenza vaccination in children with asthma have not previously been well studied, but Healthy People 2020 has set a target goal to vaccinate 70% of all children for influenza. We found that rates of vaccination in our large primary care population was much lower than the target rate, with less than 50% of all children receiving the vaccine each year over a 5 year period; however rates were higher in children with asthma, albeit still only at 55%. (more…)
Flu - Influenza, Infections / 10.09.2014

Allison Weinmann MBBS, FRACP Senior Staff, Division Infectious Diseases Director HFHS Immunization Team Medical Director Infection Control and Prevention, West Bloomfield Hospital Henry Ford Health System Clinical Assistant Professor, Wayne State University Detroit, Mi 48202MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Allison Weinmann  MBBS, FRACP Senior Staff, Division Infectious Diseases Director HFHS Immunization Team Medical Director Infection Control and Prevention, West Bloomfield Hospital Henry Ford Health System Clinical Assistant Professor, Wayne State University Detroit, Mi 48202 Medical Research: What are the main findings of this study? Dr. Weinmann: The main findings included:
  • Mandatory influenza immunization for health care workers without allowing optional opt-out (and only allowing for documented medical or religious exemption) successfully raised our immunization uptake among all our employees to over 99% sustainable for the last 2 years which we consider a very important patient safety initiative.
  • Less than 2% of workers met a medical or religious exemption.
  • A prior optional opt out with mask wearing was problematic for staff and patients and did not reach our goal of close to 100% immunization uptake.
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