Vaccination Information for Infection Preventionists

Overview

Vaccination is a key infection prevention tool for healthcare workers as well as patients entering healthcare facilities. Patients may be at greater risk for serious infections and complications from vaccine-preventable diseases due to age, weakened immune systems, or underlying health conditions. It is important to encourage staff members, patients, visitors, and family members to get vaccinated to protect themselves from disease and help prevent the spread of disease within healthcare facilities as well as in the community.

For detailed information on vaccinations in healthcare settings, please visit the Division of Immunization’s healthcare webpage.

Best Practices for Healthcare Settings

Care providers in healthcare facilities may be at risk for exposure to and transmission of vaccine-preventable diseases.  Maintenance of immunity is an essential part of prevention.
       
Suggested strategies include:

• Learn about the different vaccines recommended for care providers in your setting
• Maintain your own individual vaccination record
• Help your facility keep accurate and up-to-date patient and employee vaccination records
• Familiarize yourself with the child/adolescent and adult vaccination schedule recommendations (revised annually) and procedures for administration
• Get involved with influenza vaccination campaigns each year to encourage coworkers to protect themselves and their patients

---

Regulations

• Federal regulations (Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Bloodborne Pathogen Standard 1910.1030) require that all employees who may have contact with blood or other infectious body materials should be offered the hepatitis B vaccination series unless the employee has previously received the complete series, antibody testing has revealed that the employee is immune, or the vaccine is contraindicated (not recommended) for medical reasons.

• For more information, see the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens Standard

• State regulations (12 VAC5-371-110) require nursing homes to provide or arrange for the administration of a pneumococcal vaccination and an annual influenza vaccination according to the most recent recommendations unless the vaccination is contraindicated or the resident declines the vaccination offer.

---

Surveillance of Healthcare Worker Influenza Vaccination Rates

Beginning in January 2013, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will require acute care hospitals, outpatient surgical hospitals, and ambulatory surgery centers participating in their Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) to report healthcare worker influenza vaccination rates to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN).  These data will be made publicly available on Hospital Compare.

National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Influenza Vaccination and Exposure Management Module -  protocol and instructions, training, and forms

• Part of the Healthcare Personnel Safety Component, which also includes Blood/Body Fluids Exposure Module
• Enables a healthcare facility to record information on influenza vaccination and antiviral medication use for chemoprophylaxis or treatment after exposure to influenza
• Vaccination of all healthcare personnel in the facility should be reported, regardless of whether they received the vaccine, in order to accurately access vaccination rates

---

Vaccine Recommendations

• Recommended immunization schedules for children, adolescents, and adults
• Healthcare personnel vaccination recommendations

---

Resources

Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) – a group of experts in fields associated with immunization that provides advice and guidance to governmental agencies on the control of vaccine-preventable diseases. This group develops written recommendations for the routine administration of vaccines to children and adults, including age for vaccine administration, number of doses and dosing interval (how long between doses), and precautions and contraindications.

Bolyard EA, Tablan OC, Williams WW, Pearson ML, Shapiro CN, Deitchman SD, and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC).  Guideline for Infection Control in Healthcare Personnel, 1998.

Immunization Action Coalition – a non-profit organization that works to increase immunization rates and prevent disease by creating and distributing educational materials for health professionals and the public.

• Website for health professionals
• Website for the public and for health professionals

Preventing Seasonal Flu with Vaccination (CDC website)

Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Resources for Health Professionals (CDC website)

Vaccination FAQ (for assisted living facilities and nursing homes)

Vaccination FAQ (for other healthcare settings)

For detailed information regarding recommended vaccinations, vaccination coverage data, vaccination procedures, or other information, please visit the Virginia Department of Health’s Division of Immunization at http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/Immunization/ or call the Division at 1-800-568-1929.