DOH Opens Flu Vaccine Reporting

The Department of Health (DOH) issued a Dear Administrator Letter (DAL) dated March 17th to all mandated reporting organizations advising that the Healthcare Personnel Influenza Vaccination Report will open on Tues., April 1, 2014 and is due by Fri., May 2, 2014. All impacted facilities are required to report the number and percentage of personnel vaccinated against influenza for the current season.

This year’s final reporting, which covers the period from September 1, 2013 to March 31,2014, must be completed electronically through the Health Electronic Response Data System (HERDS) at: https://commerce.health.state.ny.us/. This is a cumulative report reflecting the entirety of the reporting period, including personnel reported in the previous (November 2013) report.

DOH is also offering a pre-recorded webinar for the Healthcare Personnel Influenza Vaccination Report online at: www.health.ny.gov/FluMaskReg under the heading “Training”.

The DAL also includes a copy of the report and instructions, and an updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). DOH advises that the person completing the report review the webinar, instructions and FAQs to ensure accuracy. Likewise, LeadingAge NY reminds our nursing home members that the timely and accurate reporting of immunization data is a factor in the quality pool calculation, and the failure to properly submit would impact the quality pool dollars.

Questions about the report should be directed to the New York State Department of Health Bureau of Immunization at either (518) 473-4437 or immunize@health.state.ny.us.

Technical questions about the report or on the use of HERDS should be directed to the Health Emergency Preparedness Program at (518) 408-5163 or hseppny@health.state.ny.us.

Additional questions should be directed to flumaskreg@health.state.ny.us.

Contact: Patrick Cucinelli, pcucinelli@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8827