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1 in 3 Providers Avoid Flu Shots as Stakes Rise
One in three healthcare workers didn't bother getting immunized against influenza during the 2011–2012 flu season, prompting government and infectious disease organizations to push for more aggressive efforts from healthcare organizations.
Even though last season's overall healthcare worker immunization rates were 3.4% higher than in 2010–11, in hospitals, nearly one in four (23.1%) workers weren't immunized, in physician offices one in three (32.3%) were not immunized, and in long-term care facilities, nearly half (47.6%) of workers failed to get their flu shots. That's according to the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report published by Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The stakes will get higher at least for acute care hospitals starting Jan. 1, when pay-for-reporting rules set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services require hospitals to submit influenza vaccination rates for their workers for the 2012-13 influenza season. They will be publicly reported starting next July.
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Comments are moderated. Please be patient.
Ellen (10/31/2012 at 7:45 PM)
While I respect the value of the "patient's safety" where does the HCP stand as far as us being protected from patients? Will it be mandatory for all pts coming into the hospital have flu shots? I have never refused to take care of a patient for any health issue/disease they might present with but to me it just seems like the big concern is for the pt and no interest in what the nurse might contact from pt. I have been a nurse for 33 yrs, never had a flu shot and never had the flu. I have worked in my present position for over 9 yrs and have only missed one day of work due to illness.
Man (10/18/2012 at 9:54 AM)
Where can I Find the data on how this has lowered the disease or illness by everyone getting the flu shot?