Healthcare Workers

Because of their contact with patients or infective material from patients, many healthcare workers (HCWs) (e.g., physicians, nurses, emergency medical personnel, dental professionals and students, medical and nursing students, laboratory technicians, hospital volunteers, and administrative staff) are at risk for exposure to and possible transmission of vaccine-preventable diseases. Maintenance of immunity is therefore an essential part of prevention for HCWs.

Recommendations

• ACIP Immunization Recommendations by specific disease
• General Recommendations on Immunizations MMWR 2011
  
• Healthcare Personnel Vaccination Recommendations [68KB - 1 page]
  One page reference sheet

Disease Specific

• Hepatitis B and healthcare workers
  Which HCWs need the vaccine? Is it safe to be vaccinated if pregnant? etc.
• Influenza (seasonal) and healthcare workers
• "Ask the Experts" Questions and Answers
  Which HCWs need the vaccine? Can NICU staff receive vaccine without compromising their neonates? etc.
• Healthcare Personnel Initiative to Improve Influenza Vaccination Toolkit
  Describes an initiative of DHHS to improve vaccination rates for influenza among healthcare workers
• Increasing Influenza Vaccination Rates among Healthcare Workers
  Position statements from professional orgs, mandatory influenza vaccination policies, and many helpful resources from the National Influenza Vaccine Summit's website
• Influenza Vaccination of HC Personnel
• ACIP Provisional Recommendations for the Use of Influenza Vaccines
  Approved by ACIP Feb 2010
• HHS Influenza (seasonal) posters
• Novel Influenza A (H1N1)
  • Interim Guidance on Infection Control Measures for 2009 H1N1 Influenza in Healthcare Settings, Including Protection of Healthcare Personnel (2009)
  • Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infections Among Healthcare Personnel -- United States, April-May 2009 (MMWR 2009)

Infection Control

• Improper infection-control practices during employee vaccination programs (MMWR 1993)
• Infection Control in Healthcare Settings
• Infection Control Guidelines
  CDC published guidelines and recommendations for the prevention of healthcare-associated infections

MMWR Publications

• Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports (MMWR):
  • Immunization of HCW: Recommendations of ACIP (MMWR 1997)
  • Improper infection-control practices during employee vaccination programs (MMWR 1993)
  • General Recommendations on Immunizations (MMWR 2011)
  • Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infections Among Healthcare Personnel -- United States, April-May 2009 (MMWR 2009)

Resources for More Information

• NIOSH safety and health topics for healthcare workers
• Resources from Immunization Action Coalition
• Protect Your Patients. Protect Yourself
  Toolkit features a variety of helpful resource materials for healthcare institutions to implement or expand their healthcare worker immunization programs

Flyers and Posters

• Healthcare Personnel - Are your vaccinations up-to-date?
  One page flyers and posters
• HHS Influenza (seasonal) posters

Surveillance

• National Surveillance System for Healthcare Workers (NaSH)
  NaSH collaborates with healthcare facilities to systematically collect information important to prevent occupational exposures and infections among healthcare workers

State Immunization Laws

• State Immunization Laws for Healthcare Workers and Patients
  Summarizes state immunization laws for healthcare workers, correctional inmates/residents, hospital inpatients and developmentally disabled facility residents, including administration, assessment and reporting