Vaccination against classical influenza in health-care workers: self-protection and patient protection.
BACKGROUND
Health-care workers are at risk of occupational exposure to influenza and can also transmit the disease to their patients.


METHODS
Selective literature review and description of the influenza vaccination program at the Frankfurt University Hospital.


CONCLUSIONS
Many studies demonstrate that influenza vaccination for health-care workers lowers morbidity and mortality in their patients. Official immunization recommendations and free, voluntary immunization programs for health-care workers have been in existence for many years. Nevertheless, influenza vaccination rates are unacceptably low. Therefore, mandatory vaccination ought to be considered. In addition, infection-control measures (covering the mouth and nose with a mask, meticulous hand disinfection) should be rigorously observed in the hospital to prevent the nosocomial transmission of influenza and other infectious diseases. Vaccination rates might be improved if health-care workers were made aware that they themselves face a risk of infection.
Wicker
Sabine
S
Betriebsärztlicher Dienst, Klinikum der Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt.
Rabenau
Holger F
HF
Kempf
Volkhard A J
VA
Brandt
Christian
C
D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D032541:Mass Vaccination / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*
D007252:Influenza Vaccines