Widespread influenza activity sweeps the nation
2013; Elsevier BV; Volume: 19; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/s1042-0991(15)31515-2
ISSN2773-0735
Autores Tópico(s)Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
ResumoIn CDC’s FluView update for the week of December 30, 2012, to January 5, 2013, 4,222 of 12,876 specimens (32.8%) were positive for influenza, and widespread influenza activity was reported in 47 states.1.CDC. FluView. www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly. Accessed January 14, 2013.Google Scholar The agency also reported in the January 11 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report that the 2012–13 influenza vaccine has been shown to be 62% effective at preventing the virus.2.CDC Early estimates of seasonal influenza vaccine effectiveness: United States.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. January 2013www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm62e0111a1.htmGoogle Scholar CDC Director Thomas R. Frieden, MD, MPH, noted in a telebriefing on January 11 that although trends in influenza activity are hard to predict, influenza activity is expected to remain high for several more weeks. Frieden also stated that the 2012–13 flu season started early—about 1 month sooner than normal. CDC reported in early December that it was the earliest start since that seen for the 2003–04 influenza season. ■The 2012–13 influenza season started earlier, and flu activity has been widespread.■Early evidence from CDC showed that this season’s influenza vaccine was 62% effective at preventing the virus. ■The 2012–13 influenza season started earlier, and flu activity has been widespread.■Early evidence from CDC showed that this season’s influenza vaccine was 62% effective at preventing the virus. Two pediatric deaths associated with influenza were reported to CDC during December 30, 2012, to January 5, 2013—one associated with an influenza A (H3) virus and the other with an influenza A virus for which the subtype was not determined. The number of pe- diatric deaths for the 2012–13 influenza season now totals 20. Data from 1,155 children and adults presenting with acute respiratory infection during December 3, 2012, to January 2, 2013, were used to estimate the overall effectiveness of the 2012–13 influenza vaccine. After adjusting for study site, vaccine effectiveness was estimated at 62% (95% CI 51%-71%). CDC also reported a stratified vaccine effectiveness of 55% (39%-67%) against influenza A and 70% (56%-80%) against influenza B. “Childhood vaccines routinely get well over 90% vaccine efficacy, and that’s what we’d like to see [for the influenza vaccine],” said Frieden. “Many of the vaccines last longer than a year and cover a wider variety of a subtype of an organism. So, the flu vaccine is far from perfect—that’s why you have to get re- vaccinated each year and that’s why we need to reformulate the vaccine each year. … We wish we would have a vaccine that was long lasting and universal against flu, but that’s a ways off. Today … the flu vaccine is by far the best protection we have,” Frieden added. In addition to encouraging everyone to get vaccinated against influenza, Frieden emphasized the importance of frequent, thorough hand washing to prevent virus spread. Individuals who do get sick with flu should seek medical attention so that antiviral treatment, if appropriate, can begin immediately. Vaccinate or else: Hospital employees lose jobs for refusing influenza vaccineThe Associated Press (AP) reported in mid-January that at least 15 nurses and other hospital employees in four states have been fired for refusing the influenza vaccine. Additional reports suggest that several other staffers have resigned as a result of being required to get the vaccine.The crackdown by hospitals is likely the result of the 2012–13 flu season arriving early and and hitting harder than normal. This season’s flu activity is expected to be the most severe in nearly a decade.Highlights from the AP report included the following:■More than 1,000 workers in Rhode Island have signed a petition opposing the mandatory vaccine policy, and a labor union has filed suit to end the regulation.■A cancer nurse who was among seven employees fired at IU Health Goshen Hospital in northern Indiana stated that she was against “the injustice of being forced to put something in my body.”■At Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove Village, IL, workers who are granted exemptions from influenza vaccination are required to wear masks and tell patients, “I’m wearing the mask for your safety.” Carrie Calhoun—a critical care nurse who was fired from the medical center for refusing the influenza vaccine—considered this practice discriminatory and that it would cause patients to avoid “the dirty nurse” wearing the mask. In 2011, APhA adopted relevant policy on this subject:Requiring influenza vaccination for all pharmacy personnel■APhA supports an annual influenza vaccination as a condition of employment, training, or volunteering within an organization that provides pharmacy services or operates a pharmacy or pharmacy department (unless a valid medical or religious reason precludes vaccination). [JAPhA. 2011; 51 (4):482–4.] The Associated Press (AP) reported in mid-January that at least 15 nurses and other hospital employees in four states have been fired for refusing the influenza vaccine. Additional reports suggest that several other staffers have resigned as a result of being required to get the vaccine. The crackdown by hospitals is likely the result of the 2012–13 flu season arriving early and and hitting harder than normal. This season’s flu activity is expected to be the most severe in nearly a decade. Highlights from the AP report included the following:■More than 1,000 workers in Rhode Island have signed a petition opposing the mandatory vaccine policy, and a labor union has filed suit to end the regulation.■A cancer nurse who was among seven employees fired at IU Health Goshen Hospital in northern Indiana stated that she was against “the injustice of being forced to put something in my body.”■At Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove Village, IL, workers who are granted exemptions from influenza vaccination are required to wear masks and tell patients, “I’m wearing the mask for your safety.” Carrie Calhoun—a critical care nurse who was fired from the medical center for refusing the influenza vaccine—considered this practice discriminatory and that it would cause patients to avoid “the dirty nurse” wearing the mask. In 2011, APhA adopted relevant policy on this subject: ■APhA supports an annual influenza vaccination as a condition of employment, training, or volunteering within an organization that provides pharmacy services or operates a pharmacy or pharmacy department (unless a valid medical or religious reason precludes vaccination). [JAPhA. 2011; 51 (4):482–4.]
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