title: Vaccination of healthcare personnel: spotlight on groups with underlying conditions.
abstract: Healthcare personnel (HCP) are at increased risk of acquiring vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). Vaccination protects HCP and their patients from nosocomial transmission of VPDs. HCP who have underlying diseases (e.g., immunocompromised, HIV-infected, or those with chronic diseases) and HCP in particular phases of life (e.g., pregnant, elderly) require special consideration in regards the provision of vaccines. On the one hand, live virus vaccines may be contraindicated (e.g., pregnant HCP, immunocompromised HCP), while on the other hand, vaccines not routinely recommended (e.g., pneumococcal) may be indicated (e.g., elderly or immunocompromised HCP). It is not known how many HCP with underlying conditions require special consideration in the healthcare setting. This is an important issue, because the risk for serious morbidity, complications and mortality for HCP with underlying conditions will only increase. The prevention of nosocomial infections requires comprehensive occupational safety programs. The healthcare system must engage HCP and occupational physicians to ensure sufficient vaccination rates as part of an effective nosocomial infection prevention and HCP safety strategy.
authors.affiliation: Occupational Health Service, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Electronic address: Sabine.Wicker@kgu.de.
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wicker
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia.
authors.forename: Holly
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Seale
authors.affiliation: Occupational Health Service, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: von Gierke
authors.affiliation: Department for Interventions in Health-Care Facilities, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 3-5 Agrafon Street, 15123 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Maltezou
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000075202:Contraindications; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D016272:Occupational Health; D011247:Pregnancy; D014611:Vaccination / Q000592:standards*; D014612:Vaccines
chemical_list: D014612:Vaccines
keywords: Healthcare personnel; Healthcare worker; Immunization; Immunocompromised; Occupational infections; Vaccination