Toolkit offers strategies for improving flu shot rates among nursing home workers

Washington – A new online toolkit offers guidance on increasing flu vaccination coverage among workers in long-term health care facilities.

Released Dec. 4, the toolkit was created by the National Vaccine Program Office and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with help from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

The agency recommends flu vaccination among all health care workers to help prevent transmission of the illness, particularly among older, weak individuals. Health care workers are at risk of acquiring flu and spreading it to patients and other workers.

The resource includes information on:

• Why health care workers in long-term care should be vaccinated
• Obstacles to, and tactics for, improving flu vaccination
• Examples of successful programs
• Tracking coverage among workers
• Flu basics

The toolkit is available in both English and Spanish.