The Ultimate Immune Boost: Healthcare Worker Flu Vaccination

In line with the Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee, the HSE recommend that all healthcare workers (HCW) in health services receive the seasonal influenza vaccination each year. Compared to adults working in non-healthcare settings, HCWs are at significantly higher risk of influenza. Achieving a high uptake of influenza vaccination among HCWs is recognised as a vital infection control intervention and occupational health issue to reduce the risk of influenza transmission between patients and HCWs (EASH, 2016; Kuster et al., 2011). The HSE recommended national uptake target is 40% in Ireland. Despite these recommendations, relatively few health care workers are vaccinated every year and influenza outbreaks in healthcare settings have occurred annually.
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