Voluntary reporting of employee influenza vaccination rates by acute care hospitals in Iowa: the impact of a four year provider-based statewide performance improvement project.

Objective: In 2006 a voluntary, provider-based project was initiated to improve influenza vaccination rates among healthcare workers (HCWs) employed by acute care hospitals in Iowa. The statewide vaccination target was 95% by 2010. Data from the first four influenza seasons (2006-2007, 2007-2008, 2008-2009 and 2009-2010) are presented.

Implementation of mandatory immunisation of healthcare workers: observations from New South Wales, Australia.

Objective: To identify factors influencing implementation of a state-wide mandatory immunisation policy for healthcare workers (HCWs) in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, in 2007. Vaccines included were measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, but not influenza.

Methods: We evaluated the first 2 years of this policy directive in 2009.

Making influenza vaccination mandatory for health care workers: the views of NSW Health administrators and clinical leaders.

The challenges of maintaining high influenza vaccination rates in health care workers have focused worldwide attention on mandatory measures. In 2007, NSW Health issued a policy directive requiring health care workers to be screened/vaccinated for certain infectious diseases. Annual influenza vaccine continued to be recommended but not required.

Results of a national survey of infectious diseases specialists regarding influenza vaccination programs for healthcare workers.

A minority of infectious diseases consultants currently work in healthcare institutions requiring influenza vaccination for healthcare workers, and in approximately half of these institutions, the healthcare workers who refuse vaccination do not face substantial consequences for their refusal. Although true mandatory policies are not common, a majority of infectious diseases consultants support such policies.

A statewide system for improving influenza vaccination rates in hospital employees.

Objective: To describe and report the progress of a provider-initiated approach to increase influenza immunization rates for healthcare workers.

Design: Observational study.

Setting: The State of Iowa.

Use of a pandemic preparedness drill to increase rates of influenza vaccination among healthcare workers.

Objective: To determine the effect of a pandemic influenza preparedness drill on the rate of influenza vaccination among healthcare workers (HCWs).

Design: Before-after intervention trial.

Setting: The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC), a large, academic medical center, during 2005.

Ensuring preparedness for potential poliomyelitis outbreaks: Recommendations for the US poliovirus vaccine stockpile from the National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

Paralytic poliomyelitis was once endemic in the United States; however, because of high vaccination levels, the last case of wild disease occurred in 1979. Although worldwide polio eradication may be achieved in the near future, the presence of undervaccinated children in urban areas and among groups who refuse vaccination creates an outbreak risk, should importation of wild virus occur. In 1999, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended that inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) be used for routine immunization of the US population and that oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) be reserved for "mass vaccination campaigns to control outbreaks of paralytic polio.

Strengthening the supply of routinely recommended vaccines in the United States: recommendations from the National Vaccine Advisory Committee.

Between late 2000 and the spring of 2003, the United States experienced shortages of vaccines against 8 of 11 preventable diseases in children. In response, the Department of Health and Human Services requested that the National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC) make recommendations on strengthening the supply of routinely recommended vaccines. The NVAC appointed a Working Group to identify potential causes of vaccine supply shortages, develop strategies to alleviate or prevent shortages, and enlist stakeholders to consider the applicability and feasibility of these strategies.