To lower the risk of transmission of influenza to patients in licensed acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities in Los Angeles County, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has issued an order mandating that licensed facilities supplement their existing obligation to assist their health care personnel to obtain influenza vaccinations by requiring that those personnel who decline to be vaccinated wear a mask when they are in contact with patients during the annual influenza season, Nov.1 to March 31.Facilities in Pasadena and Long Beach are excluded as these cities operate their own public health departments.

By law, acute care hospitals in California must annually offer free influenza vaccinations on-site to their employees and require all to be vaccinated; any employee who elects not to be vaccinated must provide the hospital with a written declaration that he or she has declined the vaccination.

For additional information regarding this Health Officer Order, a fact sheet and FAQs can be found at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Immunization Program website at http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/ip/.

Contact: Jaime Garcia
(213) 538-0702, jgarcia@hasc.org