Premier Safety Share
Premier Safety Web site
October 17, 2003
Bulletin: FluMist not recommended for all healthcare personnel
Influenza season is upon us and influenza vaccination can achieve significant cost savings and reduced morbidity. According to Premiers Perspective ™ database, the costs for hospitalized patients with influenza-related pneumonia are high—of 1,200 cases reviewed, mortality rates were 2.7 percent, average cost per case were $5,456, and length of stay was 4.4 days.
A new FDA-approved intranasal influenza vaccine expands
options for vaccination. As with any vaccine, there are indications and
limitations for healthy, high risk, and healthcare worker populations.
The live attenuated intranasal FluMist vaccine
is not recommended for all healthcare workers. Details on FluMist and
influenza resources are provided.
Sincerely,
Gina Pugliese, RN, MS editor
Vice president, Premier Safety Institute
Update: FluMist not recommended for all healthcare personnel
In the latest recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the CDC has clarified that FluMist should not be used for all healthcare workers. FluMist is a live, attenuated influenza vaccine that is administered intranasally, and was approved by the Food and Drug Administration on June 17, 2003. ACIP recently recommended that this vaccine should not be used by persons who are unable to avoid close contact with immunocompromised hosts such as household and healthcare workers for at least 21 days after receiving this vaccine. There is a theoretical risk of cross-contamination of influenza virus through infectious respiratory secretions to a susceptible individual.
Others who should avoid the live vaccine (FluMist) include:
- those with underlying medical conditions that may be predisposed to severe reactions such as asthma; reactive airway disease or other chronic disorders of pulmonary or cardiovascular system; diabetes; renal dysfunction and hemoglobinopathies;
- persons with known or suspected immunodeficiency diseases
- persons with egg allergies,
- women who are pregnant,
- those who are less than 5 years or greater than 50 years of age.
For more information you may:
- Download: Using Live, Attenuated Influenza Vaccine for Prevention and Control of Influenza: Supplemental Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) September 26, 2003/Vol. 52/No. RR-13 from the CDC at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5213.pdf
- Additional influenza resources are available from a new section of the Safety Web site.