Healthcare workers should get flu shot

Philadelphia -- U.S. health officials urge the public each year to get a flu shot, yet only 36 percent of all healthcare workers are immunized against influenza annually.

The American College of Physicians recommends that an annual seasonal influenza vaccine should be required for every healthcare worker who is involved with direct patient care.

Transmission of influenza from healthcare workers to patients has been documented in nearly every healthcare setting and multiple studies show that 70 percent or more of healthcare workers continue to work despite being ill with influenza -- increasing exposure of patients and co-workers, explained Dr. Vincenza Snow, of the ACP.

"Immunizing healthcare workers safely and effectively prevents a significant number of influenza infections, hospitalizations and deaths among the patients they care for, as well as preventing workplace disruption and medical errors by workers absent from work due to illness, or present at work but ill."

Snow said the ACP encourages organizations to establish an annual influenza vaccination program, educate staff and physicians about flu vaccination, evaluate vaccination rates and reasons for nonparticipation and implement enhancements to the program to increase participation.

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