Photo Credit – CDC PHIL
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Although the effectiveness of the seasonal flu shot can vary from one year to the next - and the protection it offers can differ between recipients depending upon their age, general health and individual immune response - it remains the single best preventative we have against the influenza virus.
Recent studies (see A Comprehensive Flu Vaccine Effectiveness Meta-Analysis) have shown the flu shot to be moderately effective in preventing influenza – at least among healthy adults under the age of 65.
For the elderly and for those with immune problems the flu vaccine’s effectiveness is often lower (see Study: Flu Vaccines And The Elderly).
There is no doubt that we need better flu vaccines – particularly for those at greatest risk from influenza infection; the elderly and those with chronic illnesses (see CIDRAP: The Need For `Game Changing’ Flu Vaccines).
But until they can be developed, the vaccines we have can and do help reduce the spread of the virus. And in healthcare facilities, where patients often fall into the `elderly or chronically ill’ category, controlling the spread of influenza is a high priority.
Which is why there has been such a push to get HCWs (healthcare workers or HCPs Healthcare Personnel) to take the seasonal flu shot each year - not just to protect their health - but the health of their patients and their co-workers.
The strong recommendation from ACIP (see 2011 MMRW Immunization of Health-Care Personnel) is that all HCP receive an annual flu vaccination, but the CDC does not actually mandate the vaccine.
Yesterday the CDC updated their annual survey of vaccine uptake in the medical profession. After several years of increases in flu vaccination among HCPs, last year saw little improvement over the previous year.
Health Care Personnel Flu Vaccination
Internet Panel Survey, United States, November 2012
On This Page
- Key Findings
- Who Was Vaccinated?
- What Can Be Done? (Recommendations)
- Data Source and Methods
- Limitations
- Related Links
- References/Resources
Updated on July 17, 2013 to reflect revised information.
Footnotes | Data Source and Methods | Limitations
Influenza (the flu) can cause disease among health care personnel (HCP) and their patients.
- Flu vaccination has been shown to reduce the risk of flu and absenteeism in vaccinated adults and HCP vaccination in particular has been shown to reduce the risk of respiratory illness and deaths in nursing home residents (1-5).
- The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that all HCP receive an annual flu vaccination (6).
- Flu vaccination coverage among HCP has improved but remains below the national Healthy People 2020
target for flu vaccination among HCP is 90% (7).
CDC analyzed data from an internet panel survey conducted among HCP during November 2012 to provide a timely estimate of how many HCP were getting vaccinated. The results of this survey provide information for use by vaccination campaigns during National Influenza Vaccination Week (December 2-8, 2012). This report provides early flu season estimates (early November) of vaccination coverage by HCP so far this year. Final 2012-13 flu season HCP coverage estimates will be available after the end of the season.
Key Findings
- Early-season 2012-13 flu vaccination among HCP was the same as coverage by early-season 2011-12, 63.4%.
- During the previous two seasons, flu vaccination coverage increased by 3-8% from midseason to end of the season.
- If a similar proportion is vaccinated after November this year, overall coverage will be similar to the prior year.
- By occupation, flu vaccination was highest among pharmacists (88.7%), physicians (85.3%), nurse practitioners/physician assistants (85.0%), nurses (79.7%), and other clinical professionals (75.5%).
- Flu vaccination was lowest among assistants or aides (46.8%) and administrative/non-clinical support staff (54.3%).
- By work setting, flu vaccination coverage was highest among HCP working in hospitals (82.5%).
- Flu vaccination was lowest among HCP working in long-term care facilities (47.9%).
- Among unvaccinated HCP who did not intend to get the flu vaccination, the most common main reason reported for not getting vaccinated was that they do not want vaccination. The second most common main reason was the belief that the vaccination was ineffective.
- Conclusion/recommendation:
- Educating HCP, especially assistants or aides and non-clinical staff, and HCP working in long-term care facilities about the importance, effectiveness, and safety of annual flu vaccination may increase overall vaccination coverage.
While the CDC only recommends the flu shot, many professional medical organizations have adopted policies calling for mandatory vaccination of health care workers (HCWs).
APIC Calls For Mandatory Flu Vaccination For HCWs
AAP: Recommends Mandatory Flu Vaccinations For HCWs
SHEA: Mandatory Vaccination Of Health Care Workers
IDSA Urges Mandatory Flu Vaccinations For Healthcare Workers
In recent years an increasing number of medical facilities have implemented mandatory flu vaccination as a condition of employment, including Seattle’s Virginia Mason Medical Center and BJC Heathcare of St. Louis, Missouri (see here and here).
While many infection control experts see this as a long overdue step in patient and co-worker protection, this is a hugely divisive issue.
Many employees see this as an infringement of their rights to decide what will be injected into their bodies (see HCWs: Refusing To Bare Arms & HCWs: Developing a Different Kind Of Resistance).
Several states have recently passed laws requiring HCW immunization, including last October when Rhode Island Adopts New Flu Vaccination Requirements For HCPs, although there are court challenges ahead.
Love the idea or hate it, the move towards making yearly flu vaccination a requirement for the healthcare industry does seem to be slowly gaining traction.
