Registered nurses are on the front lines of our health care system and play a critical role in preventing and treating the spread of influenza. As the most trusted health professionals in the nation, you can have a positive impact on the health of our communities and keep our state’s influenza levels low.
A flu vaccine recommendation and offer from you makes a huge difference. Yearly flu vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months and older. It is especially important for those at high risk for flu-related complications. Consider getting vaccinated to protect yourself and others from the flu and remind patients to get a flu shot. CDC also recommends everyday preventive actions (like staying away from people who are sick, covering coughs and sneezes and frequent hand washing) to help slow the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses, like flu.
WSNA is committed to advocating for the health of nurses, patients and the communities they serve. Because of this commitment, WSNA strongly recommends that all nurses and other health care providers be vaccinated against all influenza viruses as a key component of a comprehensive influenza prevention program. WSNA recognizes the enhanced importance of the influenza vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic. WSNA’s strongest recommendation is that all nurses, health care workers, and the general public elect to receive the flu shot this year.
WSNA strongly supports and urges voluntary efforts that aim for 100 percent vaccination rates, including annual education and implementation of comprehensive influenza vaccination programs for all health care workers. WSNA is committed to educating our members and the public through a variety of mechanisms.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, current universal masking policies in health care facilities may help contain the spread of influenza. It is critical that all health care workers are provided adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used according to manufacturer’s instructions to prevent transmission of coronavirus and influenza.
WSNA supports enforcement of existing federal and state regulations to ensure that all employers meet the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) requirements for influenza prevention.
“The Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) is committed to advocating for the health of nurses, patients and the communities they serve. Because of this commitment, WSNA strongly recommends that all nurses and other health care providers be vaccinated against all influenza viruses. WSNA strongly supports and urges voluntary efforts that aim for 100% vaccination rates, including annual education and implementation of comprehensive influenza vaccination programs for all health care providers.
WSNA supports enforcement of existing Federal and State regulations to ensure that all employers meet the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) requirements for influenza prevention.
WSNA believes a hospital-by-hospital approach to mandatory vaccinations is poor public policy. It lacks consistency and adequate protection for patients and health care workers. WSNA believes that any vaccination policy is only one component of a comprehensive influenza prevention policy and should only be enacted as a result of federal or public health regulation. WSNA believes that any such regulation must include the following core components:
Adopted by the WSNA Board of Directors, Dec. 4, 2009.
Reviewed Oct. 20, 2017.
For recent updated information and guidance from the Washington State Department of Health and CDC: