Pennsylvania Department of Health Healthcare Personnel Influenza Vaccination Honor Roll --- 2011--2012 Influenza Season

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that influenza causes an average of 23,000 deaths annually.

Influenza vaccination is the single most effective way of preventing influenza infection. Even among those who are not entirely protected, the vaccine still reduces the complications of influenza. Because immunity is not guaranteed after vaccination, universal vaccination of healthcare personnel (HCP) is necessary to maximize the protective impact of this intervention. Preventing influenza in our healthcare workforce reduces absenteeism and improves our ability to respond to the needs of the community and our patients. Furthermore, universal healthcare worker vaccination, coupled with other measures to control respiratory illness (e.g. cover your cough, stay home when sick, screening of hospital visitors, and vaccination of patients), is the best way to protect the vulnerable populations we serve.

Despite longstanding recommendations and the implementation of intensive voluntary vaccination campaigns, influenza immunization rates are still unacceptably low. The average 2010-2011 seasonal influenza vaccination rate was 63.5% among HCP in the United States, far below the Healthy People 2020 goal of 90%. In contrast, the vaccination rate was 98.1% among HCP who had an employer requirement for vaccination. No other policy or campaign to promote HCP influenza vaccination has consistently achieved equivalent success.

Therefore, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, in collaboration with the Hospital and Health System Association of Pennsylvania (HAP), the Pennsylvania Immunization Coalition (PAIC), the Center for Vaccine Ethics and Policy (CVEP) at the University of Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority (PSA) is continuing to promote evidence-based universal influenza vaccination initiatives for HCP and is encouraging healthcare institutions to make vaccination a condition of employment. Furthermore, HCP vaccination rates will be included in the Healthcare Associated Infection Report published annually by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. However, the data below was reported by each facility for the purpose of recognition on the PADOH Honor Roll; the list may not be entirely consistent with the 2011 HAI Annual Report.

The following facilities within the state of Pennsylvania have achieved a healthcare personnel vaccination rate consistent with the Healthy People 2020 goal of 90% or better during the 2010-2011 or 2011-2012 influenza seasons.*

The listing of licensed facilities and campuses is derived from the Pennsylvania Department of Health Bureau of Facility Licensure and Certification obtained 12/1/2011. Vaccination rates of greater than 90% are based on institution self-report. If the reporting institution is a health system, then all of the affiliated facilities and campuses within the Bureau of Facility Licensure and Certification databases are listed individually unless otherwise specified by the reporting insitution.

Among the 53 facilities on the Honor Roll, 44 are individually licensed. These facilities include 22 acute care hospitals, 2 critical access hospitals, 2 childrens hospitals, 1 long-term acute-care hospital, 1 rehabilitation hospital, 2 free-standing drug and alcohol facilities, and 14 nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities or personal care homes. Many of these institutions have achieved near universal vaccination rates (e.g., 99%) through mandatory vaccination policies. The honor roll includes many health systems that have also instituted policies for their outpatient practices.

Each institution achieving a HCP vaccination rate of 90% or better is also presented with a certificate of excellence from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Honor Roll: Pennsylvania facilities achieving HCP influenza vaccination rates of 90% or better

Institutions achieving HCP vaccination rates of 90% or better are encouraged to contact Dr. Jeff Miller at the Department of Health (717-787-3350).

Hospitals and Healthsystems can pledge to achieve a HCP vaccination rate of 90% by January 2013. For more information please contact Mary Marshall at the Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP)

For additional information, including a toolkit to assist administrators in achieving the goal of universal HCP influenza vaccination, visit:

http://www.haponline.org/quality/flu-campaign

http://www.flufreepa.com

http://pahcwfluvax.org

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has also developed a media campaign called, “Earn Your Stripes!” The campaign includes a video and a poster which can be downloaded here: Video  and Poster (high resolution for printing).

*Last updated 28 November 2012