Keywords

immunization, vaccination, health care workers, pediatrics

Abstract

Introduction: Pediatric health care settings are high risk environments for spreading communicable and vaccine-preventable diseases from health care workers to susceptible patients. Method: All managers of pediatric clinics operating in the state of Utah were included. Participants were invited to complete a two-page questionnaire regarding their clinic vaccination policies. Results: Half (n = 23, 50%) of Utah pediatric outpatient clinic managers recommend employee vaccinations, although employee refusal was allowed without consequence. Of all adult vaccines, influenza was most often included by managers as part of the employee vaccination policy. Some managers required unvaccinated employees to wear masks in the event of illness, but many had no additional requirements for unvaccinated and ill employees. Discussion: Vaccination of health care workers is an effective approach to reduce disease transmission. Mandatory vaccination policies can significantly improve vaccination rates among health care workers.

Original Publication Citation

Luthy, K. E., Peterson, T. B.*, Macintosh, J. L., Eden, L. M., Beckstrand, R. L., & Wiley, N. H. (2015). Evaluation of vaccination policies among Utah pediatric clinic employees. Journal of Pediatric Health Care. doi:10.1016/j.pedhc.2015.06.007

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2015-06-01

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/3722

Publisher

Elsevier Inc

Language

English

College

Nursing

University Standing at Time of Publication

Associate Professor

Download

Included in

Nursing Commons

Share

COinS