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Review
. 2020;12(1):71-76.
doi: 10.1007/s40506-020-00211-y. Epub 2020 Feb 24.

Influenza Vaccination and Healthcare Personnel Compliance

Megan C Gallagher  1 , Sarah Haessler  1 , Hilary M Babcock  2
Affiliations
Review

Influenza Vaccination and Healthcare Personnel Compliance

Megan C Gallagher et al. Curr Treat Options Infect Dis. 2020.

Abstract

Purpose of review: We reviewed the benefit of influenza vaccination in healthcare personnel (HCP), rates of vaccine coverage, and practices used to try to boost vaccine coverage among HCP.

Recent findings: Influenza vaccination in HCP provides benefits to both HCP and patients, including reductions in patient morbidity and mortality and decreases in HCP absenteeism. Despite these benefits, influenza vaccine coverage among HCP still falls short of the Healthy People 2020 goal of 90%. As a result, healthcare institutions have used various practices to boost vaccination, including mandatory vaccine policies and requiring non-immunized HCP to wear masks during the influenza season. All of these efforts have been successful at increasing vaccination rates, and employer vaccination requirements have led to rates that meet the Healthy People 2020 goal. Rates of mandatory vaccine policies have increased over time, and several states now have influenza vaccine requirements. However, additional study into how these policies improve patient outcomes is needed.

Summary: Continued effort is needed to boost influenza vaccination rates among HCP, and mandatory vaccine policies may be used if other methods have not been effective in adequately raising vaccination rates. Future research should focus on how mandatory vaccine policies can improve patient outcomes.

Keywords: Healthcare personnel vaccination; Influenza vaccination; Mandatory vaccine policies; Masking requirements; Presenteeism.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of InterestMegan C Gallagher declares that she has no conflict of interest. Sarah Haessler declares that she has no conflict of interest. Hilary M Babcock declares that she has no conflict of interest.

References

References and Recommended Reading

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance
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