General Article

Flu facts to help keep you well

Tips to prevent the spread of flu in a season of vaccine shortage

By now we all know, there is a severe shortage of flu (influenza) vaccine available in the United this year. One of the two manufacturers for U.S. vaccine supply, Chiron Corp., had its license suspended and this cut the U.S. flu vaccine supply in half. As a result, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends giving certain groups have priority status for receiving the vaccine. Individuals not in the priority group are asked to defer the flu vaccine this year.

The occupational health nurses have a very limited supply of vaccine that is only available for center and Alliance employees who have direct, hands-on contact with immunocompromised patients. Employees in the high-priority groups without direct, face-to-face contact with immuno-compromised patients will need to contact their physicians or local resources for a flu vaccine.

With the knowledge that only limited numbers of individuals are vaccinated against the flu, it is all the more important to take precautions to protect others and us from the virus.

To learn how to prevent the spread of the flu, consider what is known about the flu and how to use this knowledge to reduce the spread of it and other viruses this upcoming season.

Basic flu facts

• Flu is caused by the influenza virus
• Flu is most often spread through respiratory droplets generated by coughing, sneezing. When coughing and sneezing, the infected droplets can travel up to 3 feet and spread the flu by:
• Landing on the mouth or nose of people nearby
• Or when an uninfected individual touches infected droplets deposited on tables, chairs, equipment, etc. and then touches their own nose or mouth.
• The virus can be shed by an infected adult one day before symptoms begin and up to five days after symptoms begin.

Tips to reduce flu spread

• Avoid close contact
  Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you are within 3 feet of an ill person who is coughing and sneezing, turn your head and move out of range. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.



• Stay home when you are sick
  By staying home you will protect others from your illness.



• Cover your mouth or nose
  If you are coughing or sneezing, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue and move away from others in order to protect them from your illness.



• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
  You may expose yourself to the flu virus if you touch objects contaminated with infected droplets and then touch your eyes, nose or mouth. Likewise, you may expose others if you are ill and touch your eyes, nose or mouth and then touch objects that others might touch.



• Clean your hands
  Wash your hands often with soap and water or with alcohol handrubs (Avagard D, Purell, etc.). Frequent handwashing with these methods will reduce the risk of your getting sick or if you are already ill, it will reduce the chance that you pass your infection to others.

High-priority groups for flu vaccine during 2004-2005 shortages:

These are people that are at high risk for serious flu complications or are in contact with people at high risk for serious flu complications.

• All children aged 6–23 months*
• Adults aged 65 and older
• Persons aged 2-64 years with underlying chronic medical conditions
• All women who will be pregnant during the flu season (November to May)
• Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities
• Children aged 6 months to 18 years on chronic aspirin therapy
• Healthcare workers involved in direct, hands-on patient care
• Out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children under 6 months

*King County Public Health Department’s flu vaccine is limited to high-priority children only (not adults).

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