Health workerimmunization Protect yourselves and your patients from dangerous diseases

More informationSummary of WHO position papers – Immuniza-tion of Health Care Workers. Available at: http://www.who.int/immunization/policy/Immu-nization_routine_table4.pdf

WHO: Immunization Resource Centre – job aids to inform health workers and help them answer parents’ questions and concerns (English, French, German and Russian). http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/dis-ease-prevention/vaccines-and-immunization/publications/immunization-resource-centre

ECDC: Let’s talk about protection – a commu-nication guide on childhood vaccination http://ecdc.europa.eu/EN/HEALTHTOPICS/IMMUNI-SATION/COMMS-AID/Pages/protection.aspx#st-hash.FjHFOByy.dpuf

WHO e-learning course on vaccine safety basicshttp://vaccine-safety-training.org/

ESPID Wiser Immuniser Online Coursehttp://www.espid.org/content.aspx?Group=ed-ucation&Page=wiser%20immuniser%20on-line%20course

References

1) World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe. WHO EpiBrief, 2014, 2:1–9http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/254234/

EpiBrief_2_2014-rev3-with-data.pdf?ua=1

2) Muscat M. Who gets measles in Europe? J Infect Dis. 2011 Jul; 204 Suppl 1:S353-65. Review. Erratum in: J Infect Dis.

2011 Oct 15;204(8):1293-4.

Learn more about European Immunization Week and find

activities in your country on the Immunize Europe Forum

(www.immunize-Europe.org) and the WHO/Europe website

(www.euro.who.int/eiw) For more information contact euvaccine@who.int

#VaccinesWork #ImmunizeEurope

Did you know?Staying fully immunized is especially important for a health worker, because you:

• may be at higher risk of infection with some diseases; • can potentially spread infectious diseases to your co-workers and vulnerable patients; • are a trusted source of information and advice on immunization.

Prevent. Protect. Immunize. As a health worker, your risk of contracting measles is estimated to be at least 13 times higher than that of the general public. Many outbreaks in healthcare settings continue to be reported in the WHO European Region, affecting both health workers and patients.i,ii

Infections among health workers can increase an outbreak of measles or influenza, while also reducing the number of professionals available to care for the sick.

Because of the known risk of spreading disease from health workers to patients and from patients to health workers, WHO recommends that all persons involved in patient care:

• are fully immunized against measles, rubella and polio;• receive the annual seasonal influenza vaccine;• receive a booster for diphtheria every 10 years;• receive (like all adults) at least one booster against tetanus;• are vaccinated with hepatitis B and/or meningococcal vaccines if at special risk;• be prioritized for pertussis vaccination.

Be an immunization advocate!We know from several studies that you may be the most trusted source of information about vaccines for your patients. What you say about vaccines and whether you are fully vaccinated yourself will strongly influence their vaccination decisions.

Unfortunately, vaccine providers have little time or training to talk to their patients about vaccines and to address their concerns. Important opportunities for routine or catch-up vaccinations are also often missed due to false contraindications or system barriers. Sometimes vaccinators are unsure of the facts themselves and choose to not recommend specific vaccines.

Many resources are available to help you stay in-formed and be an effective advocate for immuniza-tion. Learn more about online e-learning courses and tailored job aids listed in this brochure. You can also find reliable information on immunization and job aids in many languages through the Vaccine Safety Net (http://www.vaccinesafetynet.org/).

Health workers,protect yourselves and your patients from dangerous diseases

Proportion of health workers with measles in outbreaks in selected countries, 2014

Czech Republic(N=171)

Other 60%

HealthWorkers

40% Other 75%

HealthWorkers

25%

Spain(N=120)

Vaccine providers sometimes postpone vaccination of an infant who is mildly ill because they believe vaccination may worsen the infant’s condition. Studies show that such missed opportunities are an important cause of delayed vaccinations, leaving infants unnecessarily vulnerable.

Source: WHO EpiBrief, 2014, 2:1–9