APIC Calls for Annual Flu Immunization of Healthcare Workers

Influenza is a highly contagious disease that can be spread before symptoms appear. If a healthcare worker contracts the flu, they may spread influenza infection to patients and other workers before realizing they are sick. The CDC estimates that influenza results in 226,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths annually in the U.S.

APIC recommendations for influenza immunization apply to healthcare personnel in acute care hospitals, nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, physician’s offices, urgent care centers, outpatient settings and home health settings. All employees with direct patient contact should be immunized annually including physicians, nurses, therapists, dieticians, religious workers, housekeeping and kitchen staff.

According to a recent poll of APIC members, the rate of flu immunization among infection preventionists – healthcare professionals who direct programs to reduce the risk of infection in their facilities -- is 93 percent, well above the 42 percent rate for all healthcare workers.

“As infection preventionists we must lead efforts to implement proven strategies to ensure that all healthcare workers are immunized,” said Greene. “By following a set of evidence-based measures, institutions can significantly raise yearly flu immunization rates and protect patients, employees and their families from serious illness.”

For additional information on the importance of immunization against the flu and a free toolkit to help healthcare facilities improve their vaccination rates, CLICK HERE.

Source: APIC