Influenza Health Worker Vaccination Programmes: Platforms for Pandemic Preparedness – World Health Organization (WHO)

WHO recommends that HWs be vaccinated against a number of antigens ([i]). Globally, countries have most frequently reported vaccinating HWs against hepatitis B, seasonal influenza and measles ([ii]). In particular, the COVID-19 pandemic has drawn global attention to the importance of vaccinating health and workers (HWs). Countries are expressing interest in building from their experiences deploying COVID-19 vaccination to develop or strengthen national HW vaccination programmes.

WHO headquarters, regional, and country offices have worked closely with ministries of health to document examples from Argentina, Mongolia, Oman, Paraguay and Thailand. These vignettes provide illuminating snapshots of national HW vaccination programmes and have been published here: Influenza health worker vaccination programmes: platforms for pandemic preparedness

This new publication documents countries experiences leveraging HW vaccination for seasonal influenza and other vaccine-preventable diseases to support COVID-19 vaccine introduction. In addition, it provides insight into the structure, motivations, and value of the HW vaccination programmes. A brief overview of key themes identified in the five country vignettes include:

[i]. Table 4: Summary of WHO position papers immunization of health care workers. In: WHO/Publications [website]. Geneva: World Health Organization (https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/table-4-who-recommendations-for-routine-immunization, accessed 30 August 2023).

[ii]. Young S, Goldin S, Dumolard L, Shendale S, McMurren B, Maltezou HC et al. National vaccination policies for health workers a cross-sectional global overview. Vaccine. 2023 Jun 13:S0264-410X(23)00518-2 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37321897/, accessed 30 August 2023).

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Influenza Health Worker Vaccination Programmes: Platforms for Pandemic Preparedness - World Health Organization (WHO)