79 Percent of Healthcare Workers Reported Being Vaccinated in 2015-2016
(CDC Report)
Cheri Fast, Great Plains Team Member, getting her annual flu shot
Since healthcare workers may care for or live with people at high risk for influenza-related complications, it is especially important for them to get vaccinated annually. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends annual influenza vaccination for ALL healthcare personnel to reduce influenza-related morbidity and mortality in healthcare settings.
To assess recent rates of flu vaccinations in the healthcare community, Carla Black, an epidemiologist at the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, and her team analyzed data from the last two flu seasons. The findings of this study were published in the September 30 CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Influenza vaccination coverage among healthcare personnel during the 2015–16 influenza season was 79 percent (assessed using an opt-in Internet panel survey); similar to coverage during the previous season.
Healthcare personnel who worked in hospitals were most likely to be vaccinated (91 percent), compared with people who worked in clinics (80 percent) and those employed in nursing homes and long-term care facilities (69 percent), researchers found. Employer vaccination requirements and offering vaccination at the workplace at no cost were associated with higher vaccination coverage.
The cost effective way of ensuring that health care workers get vaccinated seems to be by making it a requirement, the researchers noted. The highest overall rates of vaccination were in facilities that mandate flu shots for workers (97 percent).
Getting a flu shot can lower the odds of patients contracting the flu from doctors, nurses and others and reduce flu-related complications and deaths among healthcare workers and their patients. To ensure higher rates of vaccination among healthcare workers, the CDC recommends educating employees about the benefits of vaccinations, promoting vaccinations and providing free vaccinations.
The Great Plains QIN Team is here to support all healthcare professionals. We offer education, resources and tools to promote vaccination best practices, guidelines and tools for all members of the public, including healthcare professionals. We have convened a Learning and Action Network (LAN) to give providers, community organizations and patients the opportunity to share and learn. Ultimately, we intend to improve access to and quality of care through our efforts. Together, we play an important role in helping to educate patients about immunization recommendations. Join our Learning and Action Network today. All ‘improvers’ welcome.
To access the September 30 CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, click here
CDC Vaccination Resource page for Healthcare Professionals