Flu vaccination coverage for healthcare personnel: a call for optimization in data recording and analysis

e202003021

Abstract

Flu vaccination is the most effective prevention measure against the flu. Its objective is to reduce the impact of the disease on the community in terms of mortality and morbidity. Among the groups for which seasonal flu vaccination is recommended are personnel who work in health centers, services and establishments, both primary care, specialized care and hospitals, whether public or private. Healthcare personnel are more likely to acquire the virus when they are in contact with patients and/or potentially infectious material. It is important to highlight that the group called “healthcare personnel” includes, on the one hand, people whose work, paid or unpaid, is carried out in the field of health care in direct contact with patients or with potentially infectious material (doctors, nurses, nursing assistants, orderlies, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, technical personnel, dental services, pharmaceuticals, laboratory personnel, students and training personnel, as well as other personnel hired by the health center). On the other hand, it also includes other people who work in these centers and who, despite having less contact with patients, are potentially exposed to the same infectious agents, regardless of the administrative relationship of each of them with the health center. (such as management and office staff, kitchen service, cleaning, laundry, security, maintenance, administrative staff and volunteer staff).