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Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology Publication Info

Article DOI: 10.1086/502512
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/502512
Influenza Vaccination of Healthcare Workers and Vaccine Allocation for Healthcare Workers During Vaccine Shortages • 
Thomas R. Talbot , MD, MPH, Suzanne F. Bradley , MD, Sara E. Cosgrove , MD, MS, Christian Ruef , MD, Jane D. Siegel , MD and David J. Weber , MD, MPH
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology , Vol. 26, No. 11 (November 2005), pp. 882-890
Article DOI: 10.1086/502512
Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/502512
SHEA Position Paper

Influenza Vaccination of Healthcare Workers and Vaccine Allocation for Healthcare Workers During Vaccine Shortages

Formats Available in JSTOR: PDF

Abstract(back to top)

Influenza causes substantial morbidity and mortality annually, particularly in high‐risk groups such as the elderly, young children, immunosuppressed individuals, and individuals with chronic illnesses. Healthcare‐associated transmission of influenza contributes to this burden but is often under‐recognized except in the setting of large outbreaks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended annual influenza vaccination for healthcare workers (HCWs) with direct patient contact since 1984 and for all HCWs since 1993. The rationale for these recommendations is to reduce the chance that HCWs serve as vectors for healthcare‐associated influenza due to their close contact with high‐risk patients and to enhance both HCW and patient safety. Despite these recommendations as well as the effectiveness of interventions designed to increase HCW vaccination rates, the percentage of HCWs vaccinated annually remains unacceptably low. Ironically, at the same time that campaigns have sought to increase HCW vaccination rates, vaccine shortages, such as the shortage during the 2004–2005 influenza season, present challenges regarding allocation of available vaccine supplies to both patients and HCWs. This two‐part document outlines the position of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America on influenza vaccination for HCWs and provides guidance for the allocation of influenza vaccine to HCWs during a vaccine shortage based on influenza transmission routes and the essential need for a practical and adaptive strategy for allocation. These recommendations apply to all types of healthcare facilities, including acute care hospitals, long‐term–care facilities, and ambulatory care settings.

Bibliographic Information(back to top)

  • Influenza Vaccination of Healthcare Workers and Vaccine Allocation for Healthcare Workers During Vaccine Shortages
  • Thomas R. Talbot , MD, MPH, Suzanne F. Bradley , MD, Sara E. Cosgrove , MD, MS, Christian Ruef , MD, Jane D. Siegel , MD and David J. Weber , MD, MPH
  • Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
  • Vol. 26, No. 11 (November 2005) (pp. 882-890)

Author Information(back to top)

Thomas R. Talbot , MD, MPH; Suzanne F. Bradley , MD; Sara E. Cosgrove , MD, MS; Christian Ruef , MD; Jane D. Siegel , MD; David J. Weber , MD, MPH

Notes and References(back to top)

This item contains 1 note(s).

Notes

Dr. Talbot is from the Departments of Medicine and Preventive Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Bradley is from the Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School; and the Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dr. Cosgrove is from the Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Ruef is from the Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Hospital Epidemiology Unit, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. Dr. Siegel is from the Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas. Dr. Weber is from the Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.Address reprint requests to Thomas R. Talbot, MD, MPH, A‐2200 Medical Center North, 1161 21st Avenue South, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232. duThe authors thank Carolyn B. Bridges, MD; Denise M. Cardo, MD; Leonard A. Mermel, DO, ScM; Trish M. Perl, MD, MSc; Gregory A. Poland, MD; William Schaffner, MD; Raymond A. Strikas, MD; Arjun Srinivasan, MD; and Michael L. Tapper, MD, for critical review of this manuscript. They also thank Annette Mucha for her assistance with this project. This position paper was endorsed by the SHEA Board of Directors.

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© 2005 by The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. All rights reserved.