Health system revisits influenza vaccination in COVID-19

As the country continues to tackle the surge in COVID-19, public health officials have issued a lasting message. It’s important to get the flu vaccine this year.

Every season of the flu puts strain on the US healthcare system Leads to Hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations. It was estimated that 490,000 people were hospitalized during the flu season last year, and between 2017 and 2018, 810,000 people were hospitalized who had a hard time identifying which strains health authorities would prevail. Concerns have been amplified this year that the health system will lead to the full emergence of the flu while COVID-19 continues to hit the country.

“Influenza vaccines have become more important this year from a pandemic perspective. If we can prevent the flu and reduce the severity of the disease through vaccination, that’s a strategy that reduces stress on our health system,” said the president. Dr. Eve Glazer said. UCLA Health Faculty Practice Group.

While pharmacies and public health agencies manage influenza vaccinations, data Shows that many of the vaccinations (67% for children and 34% for adults in 2018-19) took place at the doctor’s office. The national health system has addressed this issue and is rethinking its influenza vaccine strategy to encourage more patients and employees to be vaccinated this year.

David Callender, CEO of Memorial Hermann Health Systems in Houston, Texas, said: “I would like to avoid having a large number of patients admitted to hospital because of influenza while dealing with COVID-19.”

Last Flu season, About 45% of adults received the influenza vaccine and 63% of children received it. Vaccine makers expect more people to be vaccinated this year due to COVID-19. Increased production as a result. Similarly, the health system has acquired more vaccines this season, responding to higher demand than expected. New Orleans-based Ochsner Health has ordered 25% more flu shots this year than it did last year, which has vaccinated more than 200,000 times.

The healthcare system is rethinking how to vaccinate more patients and communities with the additional complication that some people suspect that influenza vaccine is needed, given the smaller social circles and wearing masks. I will.

“I’m a little worried about people who are always by the fence (for flu vaccination) saying, “I’m not going to get it. I’m just sitting alone in the quarantine,” But the flu has been with us for many years and we know how to welcome us,” said Jordan Asher, CEO of Sentara Healthcare in Norfolk, Virginia. Stated.

The health system has begun to promote vaccination early to encourage adoption. Ochsner Health does not typically start marketing influenza vaccinations until the November Louisiana flu season begins. This year, marketing will start in September.

“We are looking forward to working with you,” said Dr. Sandra Kemmerly, Medical Director of Hospital Quality at Ochsner Health.

While the healthcare system will not invest any more in marketing this year and will not change the message from last year, early marketing and management of influenza vaccines will improve vaccination coverage and clinician care. I hope it will help you in your decision.

COVID-19 and influenza show similar symptoms, and if the patient goes to the hospital for treatment, they should be tested for both viruses. Knowing whether a patient has been vaccinated against influenza can help clinicians make early decisions about how to approach treatment and testing, Kemary said. However, there is evidence that people can be positive for both influenza and COVID-19.

Memorial Hermann Health mentions COVID-19 in its influenza vaccine message to the community. According to Calendar, this year we want the public to know about the importance of the flu vaccine, especially for children, the elderly, and those with existing conditions.

Memorial Hermann was unable to estimate marketing costs this year.

The health system is also revising how the influenza vaccine is given to ensure it is safe and comfortable for patients.

UCLA Health in Los Angeles has modified its online patient portal to allow patients to book a 15-minute appointment to be vaccinated at a nearby UCLA clinic without the approval of their primary care physician. The portal also sends push notifications that notify patients to be vaccinated against influenza. Glazier said the goal is to improve patient convenience by allowing patients to book appointments in the location that best suits them. In addition, UCLA extended its hours on weekdays and Saturdays at the clinic.

“We are really trying to emphasize convenience and access,” Glazer said.

Ochsner Health is considering offering influenza vaccination at the free COVID-19 test site to increase vaccination coverage. Like other healthcare systems, Ochsner partners with local community organizations such as churches to provide free COVID-19 tests to underserved communities. “It may be a real opportunity to interact with a patient we don’t have the opportunity to do,” Kemary said.

Ochsner hasn’t decided whether to offer a flu vaccination free of charge. Most commercial insurance deals with influenza vaccination Study show Uninsured patients are less likely to be vaccinated.

Some healthcare systems, such as Baptist Health South Florida and Sentara Healthcare, do not charge patients regardless of insurance status. Baptist Health donates influenza vaccinations to local clinics.

UCLA offers free vaccinations to some of them 50 Plus ProgramThis benefits people over 50, including free health checks.

The health system is also revisiting approaches to encourage vaccination among staff.

Some systems, such as UCLA and Sentara, require all employees to be vaccinated against the flu, and social distance protocols provide a more complex layer to immunize tens of thousands of workers. Will be added. “This is our biggest challenge, and we’re rethinking how to vaccinate our 35,000 staff,” said Mary Morin, vice president of clinical efficacy at Sentara.

The health system addresses this issue by providing a drive-through vaccine and by placing a bus in a parking lot in Senatara to manage influenza vaccinations before and after employee turnover.

Medical systems that do not require employees to be vaccinated, such as Baptist Health, are trying to increase vaccination coverage by improving convenience. Baptist Health normally provides influenza vaccinations in the cafeteria. With more people working from home and less mixing at lunch, Baptist Health plans to establish a drive for staff to be vaccinated against influenza. Despite stressing the importance of being vaccinated, Jiffer said he expects to see even higher immunization rates for employees, which was already 97% this year. “Our employees are very much in tune with what they want to do right,” he said.