TYRONE – A Certificate of Excellence was awarded to Tyrone Hospital for administering the influenza vaccine to the majority of its workforce.
Ninety-four percent of Tyrone Hospital employees received the flu vaccine. The recognition was extended to Tyrone Hospital jointly by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) and the Pennsylvania Immunization Coalition.
There is a national annual goal for healthcare facilities to administer the flu vaccine to 90 percent or more of their employees as a patient safety and employee health initiative.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that influenza causes an average of 23,000 deaths annually.
Influenza vaccination is the single most effective way of preventing influenza infection. Even among those who are not entirely protected, the vaccine still reduces the complications of influenza.
Preventing influenza in the healthcare workforce reduces absenteeism and improves a healthcare facilities ability to respond to the needs of the community and its patients during influenza season. Vaccination of healthcare workers along with other measures to control the spread of respiratory illness (e.g. covering your cough, staying home when sick, screening hospital visitors and vaccinating patients), helps to reduce the spread of influenza in healthcare settings and in the community.