Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH)
Division of Epidemiology and Immunization
Control of Influenza and Pneumococcal Disease in Long-Term Care Facilities
2011 - 2012
Key Recommendations
• Vaccinate all residents against influenza every year. Begin vaccinating as soon as vaccine is available.
• New considerations for vaccination of persons with non-severe egg allergies (hives only). See p. 3).
• Use only oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and prophylaxis of influenza.
• Pneumococcal Vaccine: Everyone 65 years of age and older should receive a dose of PPV23, unless they have received 2 doses of PPV23 before age 65. People aged 2 – 64 years with certain chronic medical conditions, people with immunocompromising conditions and people aged 19 – 64 years who smoke or who have asthma are also at risk. Administer a dose of pneumococcal vaccine to everyone in these groups who has not been previously vaccinated.
• The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) require nursing homes to offer all residents flu and pneumococcal vaccines. Vaccinate residents unless contraindicated, the resident or legal representative refuses or there is a vaccine shortage.
Massachusetts Regulation Requires LTC Facilities to offer Flu Vaccine to Employees
Influenza is often introduced into and spread throughout a facility by staff or visitors. Flu vaccine may be less effective in the very elderly and some vaccinated LTC residents may remain susceptible. It is important to reduce their exposure to flu. HCP vaccination reduces mortality in elderly patients.
Regulation [105 CMR 150.002(D)(8)] requires LTC facilities to provide information about the risks and benefits of flu vaccine and flu vaccine at no cost to all employees. (MDPH Circular Letter: DHCQ 06-11-468.)
An updated Employee Immunization Campaign Toolkit is available online, or by calling 781-419-2749.
Read more of this 8 page document.
August 2011
