Evidence remains lacking that vaccinating healthcare workers prevents influenza in elderly residents in long-term care
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Correspondence to Holly Seale Level 3, Samuels building, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; h.seale{at}unsw.edu.au
- Published Online First 8 June 2010
Influenza and vaccination
Seasonal influenza remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in the elderly.1 Elderly residents of long-term care facilities are especially susceptible because of their frailty, increased age and the presence of multiple comorbidities. Health care workers (HCWs) can introduce influenza into health care settings, as a significant number of HCWs (10 to 30%) are infected with influenza each winter2 3 and most of them continue to work, despite infection (approximately 50 to 80% of those infected).4 5
The USA Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices recommends influenza vaccination to HCWs because of their contact with those at risk of complications from influenza.6 Despite these recommendations, only 36% of HCWs …
