Healthcare Worker Influenza Vaccination: Save A Life Today! (It Just Might Be Your Own)

According to flu.gov, in an average year, 5 to 20% of the population will contract seasonal influenza. 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related complications, and approximately 36,000 people will die from it.  There is a significant amount of literature that points to the reasons for the spread of influenza: poor hand hygiene, lack of proper respiratory etiquette, and most notably, a lack of immunity to the virus.  While many people will carry a natural immunity from the previous year’s exposure to an influenza strain, strains vary from year to year; and many individuals are a risk of serious illness from influenza should they catch it.  

The start of the flu season will be upon us soon, and once again healthcare workers as a group have an opportunity to decrease the spread of influenza in our communities and in our healthcare facilities. How?  With vaccination.  It is one of the most important things that healthcare workers in hospitals and outpatient settings can do to prevent transmission of influenza to patients, and prevent catching the flu themselves.

The most efficient method of preventing these outbreaks and the associated morbidity and mortality is through pre-exposure vaccination. Healthcare personnel (HCP) are at high risk for acquiring influenza infection due to their exposure to ill patients as well as their exposure in the community. Because those persons who are at greatest risk of developing complications of influenza are exposed to healthcare personnel in a variety of in patient and outpatient settings, an important strategy to decrease exposure to these high risk individuals is to immunize healthcare workers. - APIC Position Paper: Influenza Immunization of Healthcare Personnel, 2008.

Many hospitals have set high benchmarks for personnel vaccination rates driven by research, accreditation requirements and mandatory vaccination policies. And yet, despite recommendations by the CDC, APIC, and other healthcare organizations, and despite the evidence that  vaccination can and does make a difference in lowering patient deaths by 40 percent and improving patient safety, healthcare personnel vaccination rates remain low.  What are the reasons for the 46% vaccination rate, and how can this be overcome?

Here are some interesting facts: Personnel who decline vaccination have egg allergy, religious or philosophical convictions, or a history of Guillain-Barre. But this is a small percentage of those who are unvaccinated year after year. It seems that the remainder are likely to be socially isolated from others who choose vaccination, or simply have misconceptions regarding vaccination.  This is why the most successful campaigns in hospitals today incorporate staff education to target individuals who persistently decline vaccination.

Envision, Inc. has created a 12 minute visual presentation to address questions and concerns staff may have about vaccination in an effort to promote their participation in an influenza vaccination program.  http://www.envisioninc.net/index.php/programs/details/dispelling_the_myths_influenza_education_vaccination_and_prevention/

This program will dispel some of the myths surrounding the flu vaccine by:

• Explaining modes of transmission and the impact on patients
• Describing symptoms of flu, risk factors for complications, and treatment options
• Outlining flu prevention techniques that reduce transmission
• Explaining vaccine options and their possible side effects
• Addressing the need for a declination statement if not vaccinated

Let’s make 2010 the most successful year for healthcare worker vaccination!  The life you save might just be your own.

Sources: Health-Care Worker Vaccination Rates Remain Perilously Low. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100317091255.htm

APIC Position Paper: Influenza Immunization of Healthcare Personnel. http://www.apic.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home1&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTFILEID=11049

www.flu.gov

www.cdc.gov/flu/

Joint Commission monograph: http://www.jointcommission.org/PatientSafety/InfectionControl/flu_monograph.htm

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