As flu and other respiratory illnesses continue to rise across the nation, routine preparedness, including continuing to offer LTC residents ongoing immunizations are critical to help reduce severe disease and death, particularly in the older adult population.  Staff vaccinations can also help reduce resident exposures, reduce staff illnesses, and preserve LTC capacity.  Grab and go tools & updates are included here teams can use to help make a difference.  There have already been 7 influenza-associated flu deaths this year in Washington, much higher than we’ve been since before 2010-2011. 

Important points to consider in the U.S.:

There have been 12 pediatric flu-associated deaths so far this year

Hospitalization rates are higher than previous years during for this same period

CDC estimates that, so far this season, there have been at least 6.2 million illnesses, 53,000 hospitalizations, and over 2,900 deaths from flu

The following LTCF immunization capacity building supports are outlined below, along with CDC flu links:

1. The new flyer, Updated Bivalent COVID-19 Booster:  Long-Term Care Settings has been completed and is attached for sharing out with sites.  Thank you for your input on this item, your partnership makes a difference!
2. The vehicle for the item in #1 above has also morphed into a semi-weekly LTC vaccine update flyer. Development of the template is in process now and we will be putting those out soon to help with short, clear vaccine messaging.  Publications are tentatively planned and scheduled for mid-December, end of December, and mid-January 2023. The goal is to help improve vaccine demand during this Winter by supplying every other week messaging that is LTC focused.
3. The DOH LTC Bivalent Booster and Flu Tool Kit Resource document is also attached here again for access & convenience.  Includes links to several 1-2 minute videos and flyers to print & post.
4. Don’t MISS IT!  The first item in the #3 document is a 2 page DOH stand-alone provider vaccine discussion tool!  This ProviderDiscussionGuideBoosters 10.2022 is also attached separately above: A MUST SEE!

CDC: Flu/Professionals, main page Information for Health Professionals | CDC

CDC: Flu Activity National Map  Weekly US Map: Influenza Summary Update | CDC

CDC: Flu/Weekly Index Case Rates & Deaths Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report | CDC

CDC: Flu Tool Kit/Long-Term Care Post-acute and Long-term Care Facility Toolkit: Influenza Vaccination among Healthcare Personnel | Seasonal Influenza (Flu) | CDC

If you have any questions about these documents, please reach out to JoAnn Parris

JoAnn Parris, LNHA (She/Her)

Immunization Liaison, Adults & LTC

Adult Immunization Quality Improvement Coordinator, Data Quality & Monitoring

Health Services Consultant

Office of Immunization

Prevention and Community Health

Washington State Department of Health

joann.parris@doh.wa.gov