Shang J, Harrison JM, Chastain AM, Stone PW, Perera UGE, Madigan EA, Pogorzelska-Maziarz M, Dick AW. Influenza vaccination of home health care staff and the impact on patient hospitalizations.
Am J Infect Control 2022;
50:369-374. [PMID:
35369936 PMCID:
PMC9052587 DOI:
10.1016/j.ajic.2021.12.027]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Influenza is associated with significant morbidity and mortality for adults aged 65 years and older. Influenza vaccination of health care workers is recommended. There is limited evidence regarding influenza vaccinations among health care workers in the home health care (HHC) setting and their impact on HHC patient outcomes.
METHODS
A national survey of HHC agencies was conducted in 2018-2019 and linked with patient data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Adjusted logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between hospital transfers due to respiratory infection during a 60 day HHC episode and staff vaccination policies.
RESULTS
Only 26.2% of HHC agencies had staff vaccination requirements and 71.2% agencies had staff vaccination rates higher than 75%. Agency policies for staff influenza vaccination were associated with reduced hospital transfers due to respiratory infection among HHC patients.
DISCUSSION
Influenza vaccination rates among HHC staff were low during the 2017-2018 influenza season. Policymakers may consider vaccination mandates to improve health care worker vaccination rates and protect patient safety.
CONCLUSIONS
This study sheds light on the potential impact of COVID-19 vaccination among HHC workers on patient outcomes. COVID-19 vaccination mandates could prove to be a vital tool in the fight against COVID-19 variants and infection outbreaks.
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