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APIC issues recommendations for worker flu vaccination

Infection Control Monitor, May 6, 2004

To help boost influenza immunization rates among healthcare workers, the Associaton for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) on May 6 issued recommendations that call on facilities to develop and carry out comprehensive flu vaccination programs for employees.

Only 36% of healthcare workers receive an annual flu vaccination despite the recommendations of the CDC and other groups. Healthcare workers are at high risk for acquiring influenza infection because of their exposure to ill patients as well as to the community. In addition, healthcare workers can spread the virus to patients in their care, becoming a key source of institutional outbreaks.

Vaccination is the main way to reduce flu transmission and prevent infection from the flu virus. To that end, APIC made the following recommendations for healthcare facilities:

 Prepare a written policy stressing the need and importance of annual influenza vaccination annually for healthcare workers
 Carry out flu immunization programs annually, including healthcare worker education on flu vaccination

 Monitor annual immunization rates and provide feedback about program success
 Increase access to vaccination by removing associated costs and make vaccine easily accessible Facilitate administration of vaccination to healthcare workers in all settings

APIC published its recommendations in the May issue of the American Journal of Infection Control.

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