by PWeekly | Apr 22, 2016
Studies have shown that influenza among healthcare personnel (HCP) increases absenteeism and the potential to spread the infection to patients as well as family and friends. Additional research indicates that influenza vaccination of HCP reduces morbidity and mortality among nursing home patients, a population shown to be highly vulnerable to influenza. To reduce influenza-related morbidity, mortality, and absenteeism among HCP and their patients, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends annual influenza vaccination for all HCP. The CDC conducted an opt-in internet panel survey of nearly 2,000 HCP to estimate adherence with the ACIP recommendation for the 2014-2015 influenza season. “We conducted an internet panel survey to obtain data on influenza coverage quickly following the end of an influenza season,” explains Carla L. Black, PhD, lead author of the study. “These data can then be used to enhance communication, messaging, and planning for the next influenza season.” Dr. Black notes that HCP are a relatively rare segment of the population, and performing a population-based survey would be time-consuming and expensive. “The Internet panel survey estimates might be inexact measures of influenza vaccination coverage, but we’ve conducted the same survey for several years and are able to look at trends in coverage,” she says. “We were also interested in vaccination-related attitudes, practices, and knowledge among HCP, which are hard to obtain with current larger, population-based surveys.” Key Findings According to survey participant reports received for the 2014-2015 influenza season, overall HCP vaccination coverage was 77%, a rate that was similar to that of the 2013-2014 season but higher than what was seen during the 2010-2011 season (Figure). Coverage was...
by Physicians Weekly | Mar 23, 2015
In the 19th and first half of the 20th century, infectious diseases killed many. In fact, in the 1918 influenza pandemic, 2 million people around the world succumbed to this virus. The discovery of Penicillin yielded a great weapon in our fight against the early demise of peoples from these infections. However, they failed to address the problem of deadly viruses. The next great weapon in our infectious disease arsenal appeared with the discovery and development of vaccines. By 1977, smallpox was eradicated around the world. In a like vein, polio was wiped out of the Western Hemisphere by the year 2000. Measles and Pertussis were considered nearly eradicated in the Western Hemisphere as well up until the last few years. Science and history clearly give rise to evidence that the eradication of these diseases was the direct result of these vaccination campaigns. Why are we seeing a resurgence of nearly eradicated infections? A big reason is that parents are taking advantage of vaccine exemptions and choosing not to vaccinate their children. Not only do they put their own children at risk, but others, especially immune-compromised children. In fact, many doctors no longer accept unvaccinated children as patients for this very reason. We do not want our more susceptible patients to fall victim to these diseases while sitting in our waiting rooms. According to a survey of doctors on SERMO, the largest social network exclusive to physicians, 79% of doctors feel that unvaccinated kids should not be allowed to attend public schools. “…79% of doctors feel that unvaccinated kids should not be allowed to attend public schools.” Many...
