Incidence and recall of influenza in a cohort of Glasgow healthcare workers during the 1993-4 epidemic: results of serum testing and questionnaire

2012/13 influenza vaccine effectiveness against hospitalised influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2) and B: estimates from a European network of hospitals

“…A survey of nursing personnel and physicians in California found that 35.3% of HCWs developed influenza-like illness during the influenza season, and 76.6% of them cared for patients while ill. [70] Further, a survey of Glasgow HCWs found serological evidence of infection among 23% of HCWs during the 1993-1994 influenza season, with 28-59% of these cases not associated with a self-reported influenza-like illness. [71] These findings suggest subclinical infection in HCWs could spread influenza virus within a healthcare facility.…”

Healthcare worker influenza vaccination and sickness absence – an ecological study

“…3,4 Healthcare workers may therefore represent an important vector for transmission to patients and studies in long-term care have found that immunising healthcare personnel against influenza each year decreases all-cause…”

Letter to the editor: Vaccinating healthcare workers: evidence and ethics

“…It has been estimated that up to one in four healthcare workers may become infected with influenza during a mild influenza season -a much higher incidence than expected in the general population. 5 Typically the elderly, the very young, and people with underlying medical conditions are at a greater risk of suffering severe illness. However, even previously healthy people and the young can develop severe complications from influenza including bronchitis, secondary bacterial pneumonia and, more rarely, meningitis, encephalitis and/or death.…”

“…6 Many cases of severe illness were in those aged under 65 years (89 per cent of hospital admissions, 87 per cent of critical care beds occupied and 79 per cent of deaths). [5][6][7][8][9] Protecting your patients against flu Influenza is a highly transmissible infection. The patient population found in hospital is much more vulnerable to its severe effects.…”