The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that all healthcare personnel (HCP) and persons in training for healthcare professions should be vaccinated annually against influenza.(1) Persons who are infected with influenza virus, including those with subclinical infection, can transmit influenza virus to persons at higher risk for complications from influenza. Vaccination of HCP has been associated with reduced work absenteeism and with fewer deaths among nursing home patients and elderly hospitalized patients. Although annual vaccination with the seasonal influenza vaccine is the best way to prevent infection, antiviral drugs can also be effective for prevention and treatment of influenza.

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A facility may choose to report influenza vaccination with (or without) exposure management (i.e., antiviral medication use for chemoprophylaxis or treatment) or only influenza exposure management.

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Influenza Vaccination with or without Exposure Management Module

Use of the Influenza Vaccination with (or without) Exposure Management Module enables a healthcare facility to record information on influenza vaccination and anti-viral medication use after exposure to influenza. It can be used in any healthcare setting. This module requires that data be entered into NHSN on a monthly basis. This module includes reporting individual-level vaccination details plus antiviral medication use for chemoprophylaxis or treatment. Administration of one or more seasonal and non-seasonal (e.g., novel, H1N1) vaccines can be reported, including multi-dose vaccination series. If the module is being used to satisfy federal record-keeping requirements for the administration of vaccine covered by the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, additional vaccination details must be included, such as vaccinator name, title and work address. Vaccination status of all HCP in the facility should be reported, regardless of whether they received the vaccine, in order to accurately assess vaccination rates.

The module will permit characterizations of reasons for HCP declining vaccine that might be used to improve future vaccination rates. Use of this module will also permit systematic collection of information on antiviral medication use related to the prevention and treatment of influenza.

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Influenza Exposure Management Module

Use of the Influenza Exposure Management Module enables a healthcare facility to record information on antiviral medication. It can be used in any healthcare setting. This module includes reporting of individual-level antiviral medication use for chemoprophylaxis or treatment after exposure to influenza. The reason for antiviral medication use can be attributed to either seasonal or non-seasonal influenza. Use of this module will allow facilities and CDC to measure antiviral medication use related to the prevention and treatment of influenza.

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Prevention and control of seasonal influenza with vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2009." MMWR 58, no. Early Release(2009):1-52.

Protocol and Instructions

• Healthcare Personnel Safety Component Protocol Guidelines and procedures monitored in the Healthcare Personnel Safety Component includes instructions for completing data collection forms. PDF (351 KB/ 53 pages)
• Importing Healthcare Worker Data PDF (102 KB)

Training

• Overview of Healthcare Personnel Safety Component PDF (716 KB )
• Setting up a Facility PDF (1.00 MB )
• Influenza Vaccination Modules PDF (1.12 MB )

Forms

• 57.209 Healthcare Worker Influenza Vaccination PDF (33 KB )
• 57.210 Healthcare Worker Prophylaxis/Treatment - Influenza PDF (473 KB )
• 57.211 Pre-season Survey on Influenza Vaccination Programs for Healthcare Personnel PDF (34 KB )
• 57.212 Post-season Survey on Influenza Vaccination Programs for Healthcare Personnel PDF (34 KB)