Washington had 278 confirmed flu deaths in the past year and hospitals and other healthcare facilities saw high numbers of patients with the flu. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) issued a notice to healthcare providers with important details about the flu vaccine. More information is below, with additional details available from the DOH.
What is your role in the flu vaccine?
Our role as healthcare providers is to recommend and encourage the flu vaccine for appropriate populations. Healthcare provider and staff immunizations provide additional protection to patients at high risk for influenza complications, such as patients seen in emergency rooms and urgent care locations. Be the example for your patients by getting vaccinated and let them know why you did. Provide a strong recommendation, offer vaccination and follow-up if needed.
Who needs a flu vaccine?
Annual flu vaccination is recommended for all persons aged six months and older who do not have contraindications. Pregnant women are at high risk for flu-related complications, so be sure to recommend vaccination for that population. Supplementary measures are recommended to serve patients more vulnerable to complications.
Additional Information
You can inform patients that the 2017-2018 flu vaccine has been updated to better match circulating viruses in both trivalent and quadrivalent formulations. Children six months to eight years of age need two doses of flu vaccine if they previously received only one dose (or no doses) in a previous flu season. Those two doses need to be separated by at least four weeks. Find more information about flu vaccine, treatment and infection control on the Department of Health and CDC websites. This information is from the Department of Health, which provides additional resources and evidence on its website. Thank you for taking the time and energy to protect your patients and communities from influenza! The Washington State Department of Health issued a notice to healthcare providers with important details about the flu vaccine. Information is below, with additional details here.
