title: Evaluation of Vaccination Policies Among Utah Pediatric Clinic Employees.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pediatric health care settings are high-risk environments for spreading communicable and vaccine-preventable diseases from health care workers to susceptible patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  All managers of pediatric clinics operating in the state of Utah were included. Participants were invited to complete a two-page questionnaire regarding their clinic vaccination policies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Half (n = 23) of Utah pediatric outpatient clinic managers recommend employee vaccinations, although employee refusal was allowed without consequence. Of all adult vaccines, influenza was most often included by managers as part of the employee vaccination policy. Some managers required unvaccinated employees to wear masks in the event of illness, but many had no additional requirements for unvaccinated and ill employees.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vaccination of health care workers is an effective approach to reduce disease transmission. Mandatory vaccination policies can significantly improve vaccination rates among health care workers.
authors.forename: Karlen E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Luthy
authors.forename: Tia B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: Janelle L B
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Macintosh
authors.forename: Lacey M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Eden
authors.forename: Renea L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Beckstrand
authors.forename: Nathan H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Wiley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006291:Health Policy; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D037141:Mandatory Programs; D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine; D016134:Organizational Policy; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014589:Utah / Q000453:epidemiology; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine
keywords: Immunization; health care workers; pediatrics; vaccination