| Press Room |
 |
| Immunization Action Coalition |
| Contact: Deborah L. Wexler, MD, Executive Director |
| (651) 647-9009 |
| Email: admin@immunize.org |
| Immunization Action Coalition |
| October 12, 2009 |
| |
|
|
| July 14,
2010 |
|
Influenza Coordination
Unit
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Attn: Prevention Strategies for Seasonal Influenza in Healthcare
Settings
1600 Clifton Road NE
MS A-20
Atlanta, GA 30333 |
|
| To the Influenza Coordination Unit: |
|
| I am the executive director of the
Immunization Action Coalition (lAC), a 50l(c)3 organization that
works to increase immunization rates and prevent disease by
creating and distributing educational materials for health
professionals and the public that enhance the delivery of safe and
effective immunization services. |
|
| The draft document titled "Updated
Guidance: Prevention Strategies for Seasonal Influenza in
Healthcare Settings" published by the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention in the June 22 Federal Register comprises a
comprehensive set of recommendations for influenza prevention and
control. Recommendation 1," Promote and Administer Seasonal
Influenza Vaccine," contains the following text: |
|
|
"While some have mandated
influenza vaccination for all HCP who do not have a
contraindication, it should be noted that mandatory vaccination
of HCP remains a controversial issue." |
|
|
| We object to the characterization
of influenza vaccination mandates for healthcare workers as
"controversial." The many institutions listed on lAC's Honor
Roll for Patient Safety, including The Children's Hospital of
Philadelphia, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, and the Hospital
Corporation of America system, have successfully implemented
rigorous influenza vaccination mandates. Also of note is the
following policy statement from the Infectious Diseases
Society of America issued September 30, 2009: |
|
|
"The Infectious Diseases Society
of America (IDSA) supports universal immunization of health care
workers (HCWs) against seasonal and 2009 H1N1 influenza by
health care institutions (inpatient and outpatient) through
mandatory vaccination programs as these programs are likely to
be the most effective means to protect patients against the
transmission of seasonal and H1N1 influenza by HCWs. Employees
who cannot be vaccinated due to medical contraindications or
because of vaccine supply shortages or who sign a written
declination choosing not to be vaccinated for religious reasons
should be required to wear masks or be re-assigned away from
direct patient care. IDSA also is supportive of comprehensive
educational efforts that inform HCWs about the benefits and
risks of influenza immunization to both patients and HCWs." |
|
|
| We respectfully urge that the
Recommendation 1 language referring to influenza vaccination
mandates as "controversial" be removed. This pejorative
description from a federal agency may have the unintended
consequence of deterring institutions from mandating influenza
vaccination for healthcare workers. Furthermore, it may create an
unnecessary additional challenge for those institutions who are in
the process of implementing influenza vaccination mandates (or
have already done so) to protect the health and safety of their
patients. |
|
| The Immunization Action Coalition greatly appreciates the
Department's interest in increasing healthcare worker influenza
vaccination rates and looks forward to helping publicize this
important document to healthcare professionals through our web
sites and news service. |
|
| Sincerely, |
|
Deborah L. Wexler, M.D.
Executive Director |
|
| Click here for
a fully formatted PDF version |
|
| This page
was updated on July 19, 2010 |
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