Report: physicians and nurses get their flu shots

More than 90% of nurses and physicians got their shots last season, according to the U.S. Centers for Diesease Control and Prevention (CDC). In a report in last week’s issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the CDC stated that more than 75% of all healthcare workers reported receiving a flu vaccination, up slightly from the 72% who got the shot in 2012-2013. Coverage was highest among healthcare personnel working in hospitals (just under 90%) and lowest among those working in long-term care settings (63%).

By occupation, coverage was highest among physicians (92%), nurses (90%), nurse practitioners and physician assistants (nearly 90%), pharmacists (86%), and “other clinical personnel” (87%). Approximately 69% of nonclinical personnel—including administrators and clerical support workers—got the shot. Healthcare providers working in settings where vaccination was required had higher coverage (98%) compared with those working in settings where vaccination was promoted but not required (72%) or settings where there was no requirement or promotion of vaccination (48%).

Source: CDC