SHEA and its partners offer statements, papers, and guidance on influenza control in healthcare facilities, distribution and use of antiviral drugs, and influenza vaccine of healthcare workers, personal protective equipment, and other topics concerning seasonal and pandemic influenza.

Vaccination

Letter to Secretary Sebelius Urging a Strengthened Policy in Support of Universal Immunization of Healthcare Personnel

Author: SHEA, IDSA
Date: August 31, 2010
Publication Format: PDF (51 KB)

Revised SHEA Position Paper: Influenza Vaccination of Healthcare Personnel
Author: SHEA
Date Published: 2005
Date Revised: August 2010, ICHE
Abstract: In large part, the discussion about the rationale for influenza vaccination of healthcare personnel, the strategies designed to improve influenza vaccination rates in this population, and the recommendations made in the 2005 paper still stand. This position paper notes new evidence released since publication of the 2005 paper and strengthens SHEA’s position on the importance of influenza vaccination of HCP. This document does not discuss vaccine allocation during times of vaccine shortage, because the 2005 SHEA Position Paper still serves as the society’s official statement on that issue. SHEA views influenza vaccination of HCP as a core patient and HCP safety practice with which noncompliance should not be tolerated. Therefore, for the safety of both patients and HCP, SHEA endorses a policy in which annual influenza vaccination is a condition of both initial and continued HCP employment and/or professional privileges.
Publication Format: HTML

Personal Protective Equipment

Response to IOM Workshop on PPE for Healthcare Workers to Prevent Transmission of Pandemic Influenza and Other Viral Respiratory Infections
Date: June 3, 2010
Publication Format: PDF (72 KB)

Letter to Secretary Sebelius on Respiratory Protection for Healthcare Workers Providing Routine Care for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed H1N1
Date: October 2, 2009
Publication Format: PDF (40 KB)

Letter to Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at HHS, RADM W. Craig Vanderwagen, MD Regarding the Interim Guidance on the Use and Purchase of Facemasks and Respirators by Individuals and Families for Pandemic Preparedness
Date: July 2, 2008
Publication Format: PDF (44 KB)

H1N1 Infection Control Precautions

Healthcare Personnel at High-Risk for Severe Influenza Illness: Care of Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Novel H1N1 Influenza A
Author: SHEA, APIC, IDSA, ACOEM
Date Published: August 2009
Publication Format: PDF (88 KB)

Interim Guidance on Infection Control Precautions for Novel Influenza A H1N1 in Healthcare Facilities
Author: SHEA, endorsed by IDSA and APIC
Date Published: June 2009
Publication Format: PDF (351 KB)

 

Antivirals

 Letter to Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at HHS, RADM W. Craig Vanderwagen, MD Regarding Proposed Guidance on Antiviral Drug Use During an Influenza Pandemic
Author: SHEA, IDSA
Date: July 3, 2008
Publication Format: PDF (183 KB)

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • Updated Guidance Prevention Strategies for Seasonal Influenza HTML
  • Infection Control HTML
  • Vaccination HTML
  • Antiviral Medications HTML
• ACIP Recommendations for 2010-2011 HTML
• Pandemic Flu.gov  
• OSHA's Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for Influenza Pandemic HTML
• AHRQ Providing Mass Medical Care with Scarce Resources: A Community Planning Guide HTML
• OSHA Pandemic Flu Guidance for Healthcare Workers HTML 
• Flu.gov State and Local Government
• FluSurge spreadsheet-based model providing hospital administrators and public health officials estimates of the surge in demand for hospital-based services during an influenza pandemic 

View all resources with the topic of Influenza