Public-Private Partnership in the Prevention of Influenza Amongst Industry Workers in Ceara State

Abstract

Influenza is an acute viral infection that affects the respiratory system, with high transmissibility and global distribution, with a tendency to easily spread in seasonal epidemics. Influenza vaccination is one of the most effective measures for the prevention of the disease and its complications. The flu was the main cause of absenteeism in 2015, affecting the productivity of companies and the economy in Brazil. However, it is a great challenge to grant access to vaccination for this audience that is not part of the government's priority group, the people withen it can not pay for vaccine in the private network thus generating absence at work to move to the vaccination posts. The occurrence of influenza among workers increases the cost for public health. In 2015 a public-private partnership between the State Health Secretariat and the Industry Social Service in Ceará was established, aiming to lead the national campaign of vaccination against influenza in industries, facilitating the access of workers to the vaccine without increasing the absence of these professionals in office hours. With the partnership, the vaccine within the industry facilitates access of workers and contributes to the improvement in health and reduction of the absenteeism related to flu.

 Key Words: vaccine, partnership, absenteeism, industrial workers