Home health worker flu vaccination linked to lower patient hospitalization

Home health care (HHC) agencies' influenza vaccination policies are associated with reduced respiratory infection-related hospitalizations among older patients, according to a study in the April issue of the American Journal of Infection Control. The researchers conducted a national survey of HHC agencies during 2018 and 2019 and linked the results with patient data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The study found an association between agency policies for staff influenza vaccination and reduced hospital transfers due to respiratory infection among HHC patients. Only 26% of HHC agencies had staff vaccination requirements at the time of the study. The researchers believe their findings could be applicable to policies related to staff vaccination against COVID-19.