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Vaccine
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doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2010.10.019 | How to Cite or Link Using DOI
Copyright ? 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
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Reflections on the influenza vaccination of healthcare workers
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References and further reading may be available for this article. To view references and further reading you must purchase this article.
Stuart McLennana, Corresponding Author Contact Information, E-mail The Corresponding Author, E-mail The Corresponding Author and Sabine Wickerb
a Institute of Medical Ethics and History of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, and the Section for Social Politics and Social Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
b Department of Occupational Health, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Received 24 August 2010;
revised 28 September 2010;
accepted 7 October 2010.
Available online 22 October 2010.
Abstract
Despite all that is known about the dangers of nosocomial transmission of influenza to the vulnerable patient populations in our healthcare facilities, and the benefits of the influenza vaccination, the low rates of influenza vaccination among healthcare workers (HCWs) internationally shows no sign of significant improvement. With the current voluntary ?opt-in? programmes clearly failing to adequately address this issue, the time has undoubtedly come for a new approach to vaccination to be implemented. Two different approaches to vaccination delivery have been suggested to rectify this situation, mandatory vaccination and ?opt-out? declination forms. It is suggested, however, that these two approaches are inadequate when used by themselves. In order to protect the most vulnerable patients in our healthcare facilities as best we can from serious harm or death caused by nosocomial transmission of influenza, while at the same time respecting HCWs autonomy, and in many jurisdictions, the related legal right to refuse medical treatment, it is recommended that ?op-out? declination forms should be used in conjunction with restricted mandatory vaccination. This ?combined? approach would allow any HCW to refuse the influenza vaccination, but would make the influenza vaccination a mandatory requirement for working in areas where the most vulnerable patients are cared for. Those HCWs not willing to be vaccinated should be required to work in other areas of healthcare.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/scienc...3d19d4cf1c9733ae005248f4fe10992d&searchtype=a
Article in Press, Uncorrected Proof - Note to users
doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2010.10.019 | How to Cite or Link Using DOI
Copyright ? 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Permissions & Reprints
Reflections on the influenza vaccination of healthcare workers
Purchase the full-text article
References and further reading may be available for this article. To view references and further reading you must purchase this article.
Stuart McLennana, Corresponding Author Contact Information, E-mail The Corresponding Author, E-mail The Corresponding Author and Sabine Wickerb
a Institute of Medical Ethics and History of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, and the Section for Social Politics and Social Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
b Department of Occupational Health, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Received 24 August 2010;
revised 28 September 2010;
accepted 7 October 2010.
Available online 22 October 2010.
Abstract
Despite all that is known about the dangers of nosocomial transmission of influenza to the vulnerable patient populations in our healthcare facilities, and the benefits of the influenza vaccination, the low rates of influenza vaccination among healthcare workers (HCWs) internationally shows no sign of significant improvement. With the current voluntary ?opt-in? programmes clearly failing to adequately address this issue, the time has undoubtedly come for a new approach to vaccination to be implemented. Two different approaches to vaccination delivery have been suggested to rectify this situation, mandatory vaccination and ?opt-out? declination forms. It is suggested, however, that these two approaches are inadequate when used by themselves. In order to protect the most vulnerable patients in our healthcare facilities as best we can from serious harm or death caused by nosocomial transmission of influenza, while at the same time respecting HCWs autonomy, and in many jurisdictions, the related legal right to refuse medical treatment, it is recommended that ?op-out? declination forms should be used in conjunction with restricted mandatory vaccination. This ?combined? approach would allow any HCW to refuse the influenza vaccination, but would make the influenza vaccination a mandatory requirement for working in areas where the most vulnerable patients are cared for. Those HCWs not willing to be vaccinated should be required to work in other areas of healthcare.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/scienc...3d19d4cf1c9733ae005248f4fe10992d&searchtype=a