Employee influenza vaccination challenge issued 

Posted on: 9/18/20

The 2020-2021 influenza season will be the 10th year that the Oklahoma Hospital Association has issued a challenge to their members to vaccinate as many of their employees as possible.

In this year of a pandemic of a virus for which there is yet no vaccine, it vital that the hospital workforce be protected from any other disease for which we have a moderate degree of protection. 

In 2011, the OHA board of directors created a position statement supporting mandatory employee influenza vaccinations as a condition of employment. Several Oklahoma hospitals have adopted this policy with little resistance from employees. The key is communication and education. OHA has developed a toolkit to help with implementation. 

During the 2019-2020 flu season, OHA member hospitals were challenged by the OHA Council on Quality and Patient Safety to achieve a 96 percent or greater employee influenza vaccination rate. Of the 72 participating hospitals, 51 met the goal of 96 percent or greater. The overall vaccination rate for the participating hospitals was 96 percent. 

The OHA Council on Quality and Patient Safety again wants to challenge Oklahoma hospitals to strive for the goal of 96 percent. Those that achieve this will receive an individualized press release for their community, a certificate to display and recognition in Hotline.

The ultimate purpose for hospital employee vaccinations for any disease is the protection of both the patient and the employee. Please consider this important issue and join the already participating OHA member hospitals in protecting our patients. (LaWanna Halstead)