Influenza vaccines for dental health care workers during the pandemic
While researchers continue to learn more about the virus that causes COVID-19, the CDC continues to recommend influenza vaccines for health care workers during the pandemic.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all health care workers, including dentists and staff, receive the flu vaccine every year. In fact, the agency recommends the annual influenza vaccination for people age six months older who do not have contraindications as a strategy to decrease morbidity and mortality caused by influenza.
Healthcare providers are encouraged to consult current influenza vaccine recommendations for guidance regarding the timing of administration and use of specific vaccines.
The CDC has also issued Vaccination Guidance During a Pandemic and stresses the importance of reducing the overall burden of respiratory illnesses during the COVID-19 pandemic as a method of protecting vulnerable populations at risk for severe illness, the healthcare system, and other critical infrastructure.