Flu shots available to Center employees beginning Oct. 25

General Article

Ongoing flu-shot clinics run every Tuesday and Friday through Nov. 22

Influenza (also called flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Every year in the United States approximately 5 percent to 20 percent of the population gets the flu, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications and about 36,000 people die from the flu. The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccination each fall. There are two types of vaccines — the flu shot and the nasal-spray vaccine. The flu shot is an inactivated vaccine containing killed virus that is given with a needle. The nasal-spray flu vaccine is made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu. This vaccine is approved for use in healthy people 5 years to 49 years of age who are not pregnant. It is not recommended for employees who are in contact with immunocompromised patients. In addition to vaccination, the following simple actions can help decrease the spread of respiratory illnesses like the flu.

Avoid close contact. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

Stay home when you are sick. When you are sick or have flu symptoms, stay home, get plenty of rest and check with a health care provider as needed.

Cover your mouth and nose. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.

Clean your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash long enough to sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.

Following these healthy habits will help reduce illnesses and sick days.

The Environmental Health and Safety Department will begin flu-shot clinics for Center employees beginning Tuesday, Oct. 25. Ongoing clinics will be held (through Nov. 22) every Tuesday and Friday, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., and on Wednesdays, from 10 a.m.-noon, in the Occupational Health Clinic, Yale Bldg, 3rd floor, J3-121.

For more information on influenza, and for detailed flu-shot clinic dates and times, please visit the EH&S Web site at centernet.fhcrc.org/CN/depts/ehs.

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