wurk»healthcare {Your career. Your say.}

With recent news of a mumps outbreak in eight Midwestern states, it’s especially important that healthcare workers with any kind of frontline contact with patients have up-to-date immunizations. The CDC’s National Immunization Program recommends:

You should be immune to:

INFLUENZA
You need a flu vaccination every year. Unvaccinated healthcare workers can spread influenza to patients and are a key cause of influenza outbreaks among patients and long-term care residents. You cannot get the flu from the vaccine.

HEPATITIS B
5 to 10 percent of acute infections lead to chronic infection, and these lead to liver damage (cirrhosis), liver cancer, or death. Hepatitis B vaccine protects nearly all who are in contact with blood, body fluids, or used needles.

MEASLES/MUMPS/RUBELLA
If you are not already immune, you should be vaccinated. Even mild or undetectable rubella disease can cause fetal anomalies.

TETANUS/DIPHTHERIA
You need a booster every 10 years. You may need a dose sooner if you are injured.

VARICELLA (CHICKENPOX)
Varicella can be transmitted in hospitals by patients, staff, and visitors. If you are not already immune, you should be vaccinated.

Protect your patients.
Protect your family.
Protect yourself.
Get vaccinated!

From Healthcare Worker Immunizations flyer (pdf)

Technorati Tags: mumps, healthcare, health care, vaccines, vaccination, immunizations, career, jobs, healthcare workers