{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.02455919395465995, 'fraction_numerical': 0.02518891687657431, 'mean_word_length': 5.7905982905982905, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Influenza vaccination coverage among healthcare workers during the 2013-14 influenza season in Rhode Island.

Since 1984, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended annual seasonal influenza vaccination for healthcare workers (HCWs).1 Vaccinating HCWs against influenza can reduce influenza illness, transmission of influenza to patients, and influenza-related morbidity and mortality among patients in healthcare settings.2-3 Despite the documented benefits and ACIP’s long-standing recommendations, the overall influenza vaccination rate for HCWs has remained far below the Healthy People 2020 target of 90% nationally.4 In October 2012, with the input of the Rhode Island Flu Task Force, the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) amended HCW immunization regulations [R2317-HCW] to increase influenza vaccination coverage among HCWs.5 The amended regulations require all HCWs in healthcare facilities either to receive influenza vaccination, or provide proof of a medical exemption or a declination statement to their healthcare facilities by December 15th of each year. Unvaccinated HCWs must wear a surgical face mask during direct, face-to-face contact with patients when influenza is declared widespread. Healthcare facilities are required to report their HCW influenza vaccination status data to HEALTH at the end of each influenza season.5 This article presents influenza vaccination coverage among Rhode Island HCWs and healthcare facilities’ data reporting for the 2013–2014 influenza season.