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Ninety-four of Washington State's 98 hospitals have adopted new policies requiring their health care workers to either get immunized against the flu or take another patient protective action as determined by the hospital's infection control program. These policies are dramatically increasing the number of immunized hospital workers.
Washington is the first state in the nation where nearly all hospitals have jointly adopted flu immunization policies. The hospitals that have adopted the policies operate 99 percent of inpatient hospital beds in Washington State. The policies are currently being implemented across the state, and will be in effect this fall and winter during the flu season.
Washington State hospitals are committed to stopping hospital-acquired infections, including influenza. Influenza is always a serious disease, but for hospital patients premature infants, vulnerable seniors, and people with significant health issues getting the flu can be life-threatening. Across the country, 200,000 people are hospitalized with seasonal influenza and as many as 50,000 people die every year.
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Washington is the first state in the nation where nearly all hospitals have jointly adopted flu immunization policies. The hospitals that have adopted the policies operate 99 percent of inpatient hospital beds in Washington State. The policies are currently being implemented across the state, and will be in effect this fall and winter during the flu season.
Washington State hospitals are committed to stopping hospital-acquired infections, including influenza. Influenza is always a serious disease, but for hospital patients premature infants, vulnerable seniors, and people with significant health issues getting the flu can be life-threatening. Across the country, 200,000 people are hospitalized with seasonal influenza and as many as 50,000 people die every year.
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