The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that nationally, 90 percent of hospital workers were vaccinated last year, about the same as in the 2013-2014 flu season.
The WSHA Patient Safety Committee spearheaded this work several years ago, which led to a marked increase in the vaccination rate. With their rising rates, measles and pertussis may also be focused on at some point.
It’s critically important that health care workers be immunized to help protect their patients from contracting life-threatening illnesses. Patients should feel free to ask their providers if they’ve been vaccinated, and if not, ask them what they are doing to protect patients.
Learn more about the vaccine — and find a place to get it — here on the Department of Health website. (Tim Pfarr)
