Immunization among Healthcare Workers in India: A Need or a Want

Abstract

Immunization is a highly effective way for prevention of some major infectious diseases. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at greater risk of exposure as well as spread of vaccine preventable diseases, as they are in constant contact with patients and infectious materials. Many of these diseases still carry a potential for resurgence and can lead to outbreaks. Hence, vaccination programs among HCWs form an integral part of infection prevention & control practices, thereby protecting the healthcare personnel from infection and protecting the patients from getting infected. [1] Even in countries with specific vaccination programs for HCWs, the coverage remains very low and the majority are susceptible for vaccine preventable diseases. So, it becomes imperative for a developing country like India and other countries in low-resource settings to have a national vaccination plan for HCWs. [Table 1]. shows the list of vaccines recommended for HCWs by World Health Organization and Center for Disease Control and Prevention. [2,3]