Employee Influenza Vaccination Campaign- We Are Flu Free

Background:
Annual influenza vaccinations are recommended for health care personnel (HCP) because of their increased risk of contracting and transmitting influenza. By being vaccinated, HCP decrease their likelihood of contracting influenza and decrease the chance of infecting others. It is imperative for HCP to set an example for the patients they serve by being vaccinated and also by being informed with the most current influenza information in order to properly educate them.
Influenza vaccination coverage among health care professionals has been a challenge for many years. Currently, only 42% of all health care professionals in the United States are vaccinated annually against influenza. Central District Health Department (CDHD) has been faced with poor influenza coverage rates among its employees for years. In 2006, only 60% of all employees received the influenza vaccine. Central District Health Department challenged employees to help reach a 90% coverage rate for influenza vaccinations; this would far surpass the Healthy People 2010 goal of 60% HCP vaccinated against influenza.

Setting:
Central District Health Department (CDHD) located in Boise, Idaho (Ada County) along with our two satellite offices located in Elmore County and Valley County.

Population:
Central District Health Department employees

Project Description:
Central District Health Department Board of Health set a goal of having 90% of the staff vaccinated against influenza for the 2007 - 2008 flu season. The "Flu Central Committee" was established, and working together developed a campaign that included not only internal strategies, but also a challenge to the other six health districts in Idaho to be the "Most Covered"

Results/Lessons Learned:
By November 21, 2008 90.06% of Central District Health Departments employees had received their influenza vaccination. Education, availability and incentives played a huge role in meeting the goal of the Board of Health.