Healthcare Personnel Flu Season Mandates

All healthcare personnel (HCP) are at risk for both contracting influenza (flu) and transmitting the virus to their patients. Patients in healthcare facilities are especially vulnerable to influenza. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC) recommends that all HCPs, including physicians, nurses, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, employees of nursing homes and chronic care facilities, students in these professions, and volunteers should receive an annual vaccination against the flu. The County of San Diego supports the CDC's and the CDPH's recommendation for HCPs to receive an annual flu vaccine to protect patients and reduce employee absenteeism during flu season. Therefore, the County Health Officer issued an Order on November 4, 2014, and updated it to include additional sectors, on November 1, 2017, to include emergency medical services responders. The Health Officer Order requires:

HCP and emergency medical responders to receinve an annual flu vaccination, or
Wear a mask for the duration of the flu season while in contact with patients or working in patient care areas if they decline.

For more information, see the following materials:

2023 Reminder Letter from the Health Officer (10/13/2023)

2017 Health Officer Order for Mandatory Influenza Vaccination or Masking of Healthcare Personnel During Annual Influenza Season (11/1/17)

Rationale for Mandated Influenza Vaccination for Healthcare Personnel (10/13/2023)

Influenza Vaccination for Healthcare Personnel Fact Sheet (10/13/2023)

Frequently Asked Questions: Influenza Vaccinations for Healthcare Personnel (10/13/2023)

For more information or to request materials,
contact the San Diego Immunization Unit via e-mail or call us at (866) 358-2966.

Immunization Unit
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