The respiratory virus season is here. As a health worker, he plays a fundamental role in the slowdown and prevention of the spread of viral respiratory infections, including flu and COVID-19. As the hygiene of the hands, the personal protective equipment (PPE) and environmental cleaning and disinfection, vaccination is a critical tool in our infection control toolbox. Vaccinating in combination with the implementation of standard infections control practices can help protect you and others in your medical care center. Now is the perfect time to remind yourself and your coworkers about the importance of vaccines.
You can get more information about the vital role that vaccines play to protect you and your patients and residents in this Janet Glowicz blog, PHD, RN, a nurse preventive infection with CDC Firstline project.
Vaccination plays an important role in Your personal security.
Obtaining your updated vaccines protects you if you are at work or home. As? Vaccines can help reduce their risk of getting sick and helping to stop the spread of viruses to others. If you receive flu or COVID-19, vaccines can make the disease shorter and less severe, reduce the amount of time you may need to be out of work to recover and help you avoid hospitalization.
The last season of respiratory virus, the vaccine 2023–2024 COVID-19 was an effective 58% against critical disease and death associated with COVID-19 up to six months after vaccination. Vaccination is also effective against less serious disease; The effective COVID-19 vaccine against urgent care or visits to the emergency department was 50% within two months after vaccination. These estimates reflect the additional Proven benefit for vaccination 2023-2024 COVID-19 in a population where many people already have prior vaccines immunity or having previous infections MMWR.
The virus caused by COVID-19 is always changing, and vaccines protection decreases over time. Obtaining an updated COVID-13 vaccine for 2024-2025 helps protect it against circulating variants that cause most infections and hospitalizations in the US COVID-13 vaccination. UU. It also reduces its chans or lung or later.
All health workers should consider the recommended vaccines for respiratory viruses.
The options are available for free and low cost access to vaccines.
Most people can still get the COVID-19 vaccine free. If you have health insurance, most plans will cover the COVID-19 vaccine at no cost at no cost for you. Consult your insurance provider about what they cover. If you do not have a health insurance or you have a health plan that is not not that it is not the total cost, it is possible that you can still obtain a Free vaccine [PDF – 1 Page].
Certain groups have a high risk of serious complications due to respiratory infections.
People 65 or more have the greatest risk of being hospitalized and an experimental flu and COVID-19 disease. They invent more COVID-19 and flu Hospitalizations and deaths annually in the United States. In addition, many underlying conditions that include chronic pulmonary disease, heart disease, diabetes and obesity, in addition to being pregnant, can put people with the greatest risk of severe influenza and Covid-19 disease. Those with weakened immune systems or multiple medical conditions also have a higher risk of serious diseases. Your medical care provider can help you know your risk of serious complications and encourage recommended vaccines.
In addition, the RSV vaccine It is recommended for all adults over 75 years old and for adults from 60 to 74 years old who are eaten Greater risk of serious diseases and RSV hospitalization. The RSV vaccine is also recommended for pregnant women between 32 and 36 weeks of gestation with seasonal use (which means during September to January in most United States) to protect the baby from serious RSV disease. If you are 60-74 years old with certain health conditions, 75 years or older or you are pregnant, talk to your medical care provider about a RSV vaccine.
As a health worker, it is also important to understand the risk of these diseases for their patients and residents and take measures. Even if you do not have a high risk of serious diseases, when you get vaccinated, you can help avoid getting sick and propagating germs to the ethers.
Proactive measures can help health workers keep up with recommended vaccines.
The Occupational Health Department of its installation can help you stay abreast of all vaccines currently recommended in accordance with state or territorial laws. You can also consult with vaccine suppliers if you want additional information, such as your medical care provider and local pharmacies. For updates, visit the Vaccine Recommendations Website of the Immunization Practices Advisory Committee (ACIP).
The safety and effectiveness of the vaccine are controlled closely.
Here are four facts that can share if there are groups on vaccine safety:
- The CDC, the United States Food and Medicines Administration (FDA) and other federal agencies closely monitor the safety of all licensed vaccines and reached their use in the United States.
- ACIP Consider carefully the benefits and risks of vaccines as part of its evidence -based process to educate them for use.
- In addition, CDC has Multiple systems That vaccine safety tracking after administration.
- To date, hundreds of millions of people have safely received a COVID-19 vaccine under the most intense security monitoring in the history of the United States.
Vaccination programs sponsored by the employer are an effective way to help your staff recommend vaccines that fit the respiratory virus season. Offering recommended vaccines is beneficial for everyone in its facilities and can make the process more convenient and profitable by eliminating common barriers for access.
Health workers can remain informed about the local activity of the respiratory virus.
Duration of respiratory virus, it is important to stay informed about the spread of viruses in its area. Be attentive to the updates of its installation or department of local health. The following CDC resources are available to help access your area data:
For more information about what you can do to protect yourself and your patients this season, see Project Firstline’s Infection control actions for respiratory viruses.
Author: Janet Glowicz, PHD, RN, Prevent of infections with Project Firstline in the CDC Health Quality Promotion Division
