Download the Frequently Asked Questions - Intermountain Healthcare

IMMUNIZE INTERMOUNTAIN: PROTECTINGYOU, OUR PATIENTS AND OUR COMMUNITIES’It s worth the shot!Frequently Asked QuestionsWhy does Intermountain care about immunizations?As a healthcare organization we believe thatimmunizations prevent diseases. Vaccinatingagainst diseases such as polio and diphtheria hasresulted in these becoming very rare. On the otherhand, we have seen recent outbreaks in pertussisand measles – diseases that are preventable withvaccinations. We must keep immunizing untildiseases are eliminated. Vaccinations don’t justprotect us today. They protect future generationsby eradicating the disease.We also believe that our patients expect us to doall that we can to protect them, and they shouldbe able to expect that as they are being treated forother conditions they will not contract potentiallylife-threatening illnesses from their healthcareproviders.Why do we require immunizations for employees/volunteers who don’t work in patient care areas?In addition to protecting our patients,Intermountain wants to protect our employees,co-workers, our families and our communitiesfrom preventable diseases. Also, many employeesfrequently go into patient care facilities.Why are we making vaccines mandatory?Last year as we rolled out ImmunizeIntermountain we were very successful inachieving immunization rates over 95% forHep B, Varicella, Mumps, Measles and Rubella.However, our Tdap and influenza rates wereonly 85%.In order to achieve the more acceptable rate of95% for Tdap and influenza, we believe we mustmake the vaccines mandatory.Why does the rate matter?To limit the spread of disease it’s importantto have a large percentage of the populationvaccinated. This indirectly protects unimmunizedindividuals, including those who can’t bevaccinated and those for whom vaccination wasnot successful. This is called herd immunity.For highly contagious diseases, vaccination ratesmay need to be as high as 80% - 95% (www.historyofvaccines.org). National and local expertsare using 95% as the desired rate for influenza andIntermountain has adopted that standard.What qualifies for a medical exemption?The Centers for Disease Control and Preventionhas identified contraindications and precautionsfor each vaccine. You can find this document onour website at Health Matters/Employee Health/Vaccinations. Medical documentation from yourprovider on any of these conditions will qualify asa medical exemption.What qualifies for a religious exemption?Documentation from a religious leader or adetailed statement of a specific religious tenet thatis in conflict with receiving the vaccinations willbe considered for a religious exemption. Personalor philosophical beliefs will not qualify.

Who pays for the immunizations?All employees and volunteers can receive requiredimmunizations free of charge from the IntermountainEmployee Health representative in their facility.Where can I learn moreabout immunizations?Your Employee Healthnurse can provide you withinformation and personalconsultation. Additionally,here are three goldstandard websites:www.immunize.orgwww.cdc.gov/vaccineswww.chop.edu/service/vaccine-educationcenter/home.htmlWhy masking?Masking during flu season is an accommodation thatIntermountain is making for employees/volunteers thatreceive an exemption. This accommodation protects ourpatients while allowing for legal exceptions to our policy.Why now?Numerous national professional societies such as theSociety for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA),the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) andthe Association for Professionals in Infection Control andEpidemiology (ACIP) all agree that influenza vaccinations ofhealthcare workers is essential for patient safety. Additionally,Joint Commission and CMS are considering strengtheningtheir recommendations for influenza vaccination practices.In April, 2011 the Utah Healthcare Associated InfectionsGovernance Committee issued a recommendation forcompulsory influenza vaccination programs for all Utahhealthcare workers.Are other healthcare systems doing this?Check out this website to see a listing of healthcare systemsthat are requiring influenza vaccinations at http://www.immunize.org/honor-roll.