National Immunization Awareness Month: Resources and Considerations
Every August, National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is observed to highlight the importance of vaccination for people of all ages.
Keeping Up with Vaccinations
Because immunity from childhood can wear off over time, it is recommended for adults to keep up with their vaccinations to reduce the risk for different diseases. Vaccination is one of the most convenient and safest preventive care measures available.
All adults are recommended to have a seasonal flu (influenza) vaccine every year. The Flu vaccine is especially important for individuals with chronic health conditions, pregnant women and older adults.
For other recommended vaccinations, click here >>
Vaccinations and Older Adults
As we age, our immune systems tend to weaken over time, putting us at higher risk for certain diseases. In the case of COVID-19, the risk for severe illness increases with older adults and those with underlying medical conditions. Because of this, the federal government is committed to ensuring that residents and staff in long-term care settings have access to COVID-19 vaccines.
Since the start of the pandemic, COVID-19 deaths in LTCFs make up at least 23% of all COVID-19 deaths in the US. This number has decreased due to high rates of vaccination among residents and staff, an increased emphasis on infection control procedures, declining nursing home occupancy, and other factors (source).
Access resources for promoting the COVID-19 vaccines in long-term care settings >>
Resources to Support Your Team and Facility from Pathway Health
Staying up-to-date on the latest information and insights is key to supporting your residents. At Pathway Health, we provide tools and resources to support the success of our team and facility.
Infection Prevention and Control Resource Manual
Infection Prevention and Control is an all-encompassing, facility-wide program with many new regulatory updates. The Pathway Health’s Infection Prevention and Control Manual provides a multitude of resources for the Infection Preventionist to be able to customize their Infection Prevention and Control Program for quality and strategies for compliance! This highly informative manual includes Enhanced Precautions, TB and comprehensive COVID-19 information. Also included are:
- Infection control policies and procedures to reflect most recent F-Tags
- Antibiotic Stewardship
- Outbreak Management
- Disinfection protocols
- Surveillance overview and tools
- Bloodborne pathogens exposure control plans
- Post exposure evaluations
- Standard and Transmission-Based Precautions
- Immunizations and Vaccinations
- Employee health procedures
- Procedures for Housekeeping and Dietary Departments
- Audit tools and resources and much more!