MCHC recognized for 99% Flu Vaccination Rate in Caregivers
Madelia Community Hospital & Clinic (MCHC) is among 69 hospitals and nursing homes from Minnesota that were recognized for achieving high employee influenza vaccination rates by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) during the 2018-19 flu season.
For the 2018-19 season, 99% of MCHC staff received influenza vaccinations. FluSafe facilities aim for 90% or higher influenza vaccination rates among employees, and work to address barriers to vaccination during the flu season.
The FluSafe program aims to get all health care personnel at hospitals and nursing homes in Minnesota, except those with medical exemptions, vaccinated against influenza each season. According to state health officials, unvaccinated health care workers can potentially pass highly contagious influenza to their patients, many of whom are at high risk for complications from influenza.
“Our patients’ health is our top priority, so protecting our caregivers from influenza just makes sense,” said Megan Gossman, Infection Control and Employee Health Nurse at MCHC. “Participating in the FluSafe program helps us increase employee influenza vaccination rates and prevent flu from spreading to our patients. We also want all of our employees to be as healthy as possible.”
“We continue to be grateful for – and impressed by – the important steps participating facilities are taking to prevent flu through health care worker vaccination,” said Kristen Ehresmann, director of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control at MDH.
Health care facilities participating in the FluSafe program receive guidance and access to tools and promotional materials from MDH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help them increase their influenza vaccination rates. The facilities record and document their vaccination rates through the state’s immunization information system, the Minnesota Immunization Information Connection.
MCHC has Flu Shot Clinics for the public scheduled for Monday, September 30th from 7 a.m. to noon, and Friday, October 11th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointment are not needed during the Flu Shot Clinics. If you are unable to attend during these times, Vaccination-only appointments can be made at MCHC by calling 507.642.5211.
