Oregon’s health care workforce is experiencing a significant decline in flu vaccination rates. New data from the Oregon Health Authority indicates that less than half of health care workers received their flu shots during the recent respiratory virus season.
Declining Flu Shot Rates Among Oregon Health Workers
In the 2024-25 season, only 54% of the 150,000 health care workers who reported their vaccination status received a flu shot. This represents an 11-point decrease from the previous season and a staggering 36-point drop compared to the 2019-2020 season.
Impact on Patient Safety and Health Care Facilities
Health officials warn that this decline poses a greater risk to medically vulnerable patients. The reduced vaccination rates can lead to workplace outbreaks, which could impact staffing levels and strain resources in hospitals and clinics. Dr. Dat Tran, the medical director of the state program tracking health care-associated infections, expressed his concern over the situation.
“This is very worrying,” said Dr. Tran. “We are not seeing flu vaccination rates among health care workers keeping pace with flu activity during respiratory virus seasons.”
Vaccination Rates by Facility Type
Vaccination rates vary across different types of health care facilities:
- Outpatient surgery centers: 61%
- Hospitals: 60%
- Dialysis centers: 50%
- Nursing facilities: 30%
- Inpatient psychiatric facilities: 30%
Overall, 18% of workers opted out of the vaccine this season, and 28% had no vaccination record on file.
Strategies to Improve Vaccination Rates
Dr. Tran emphasized the importance of vaccination for both patients and health care workers. “It’s really important that health care workers step up and get vaccinated,” he noted. Vaccination not only protects patients but also reduces the risk of illness among workers, minimizing lost productivity and additional health care costs.
To enhance vaccination rates, facilities are encouraged to:
- Offer free or on-site vaccinations
- Track vaccination records
- Require declination forms from those who choose not to vaccinate
The state has also created a toolkit to assist health care employers in boosting vaccination rates at their facilities. Efforts are ongoing to measure progress against an earlier federal goal of achieving 90% flu vaccination among health care workers.
Broader Trends in Flu Vaccination Rates
Notably, flu vaccination rates are also declining among the general population in Oregon. Less than half of Oregonians typically receive the flu vaccine, with statewide adult vaccination dropping from 36.5% five years ago to just 31% in the most recent season.
