Influenza Vaccine Campaign Protection for our Staff & Patients

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1 Influenza Vaccine Campaign Protection for our Staff & Patients 1

2 Cedars-Sinai Medical Center s leaders strongly support flu vaccinations for all employees to ensure that we protect our health the health of our patients. Flu School is being offered to all of our staff who are undecided about whether or not to get the influenza vaccine. Arm yourself against the flu! Get vaccinated today 2

3 Many healthcare workers believe they never get the flu, but even during a mild flu season, nearly one in four show serologic evidence of exposure to the flu, No Thanks.I never get the flu! Because we care for patients who are at high risk of flu complications it s important that all of us get vaccinated to help prevent the transmission of the flu virus throughout the medical center. Rekha Murthy, MD, Hospital Epidemiologist 3

4 FACT: The flu targets everyone. Think about it: The flu does not single out any population. It targets everyone young, elderly, healthy or ill.. 4

5 FACT: The flu vaccine will not give you the flu. An excuse from many is that they got the vaccine before and got the flu from it. Think about it: If you came down with the flu after the vaccine, it was due to your exposure prior to getting the vaccine. You could have been exposed anywhere and not even know it. The FLU is transmitted mainly through the air in droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It enters the body by breathing in droplets or touching a contaminated surface and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Influenza has an incubation period of 2 days, but can take 1 to 4 days and spread starting the day before symptoms appear & for about 4 or 5 days after symptoms begin. 5

6 FACT: The flu can cause illness, hospitalization, and death among all populations. 6

7 FACT: The vaccine is safe. The flu vaccine has been given for over 50 years. The safety of the vaccine is monitored closely by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration. 7

8 I don t like injections The FLUMIST is available. To receive the FLUMIST you must be between the ages of 2-49 and completely healthy - free of any chronic health conditions such as diabetes, asthma, etc. If you are pregnant you should not receive Flumist The dose is the same for all age groups. Administered with a spray of mist up each nostril. 8

9 What are the side effects? Side effects are few For the injectable influenza vaccine the most common is a sore arm. For Flumist the most common is mild congestion, runny nose, sore throat or cough. (Pictured: Linda Burnes Bolton, DrPH, RN, FAAAN, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer gets her flu vaccine) 9

10 Don t wait until the last minute.. The flu vaccine takes about 2 weeks to provide full protection. Don t wait until you are around the flu to get the vaccine. It may be too late you may have already been exposed. You can be exposed anywhere. Think of all the places you go.traveling, sporting events, grocery shopping. We are vulnerable anywhere. 10

11 FACT: You need a flu vaccine every year. The level of immunity decreases over the year and strains of flu that circulate and cause disease change each year. You need that new vaccine to boost your immunity. 11

12 FACT: It is never too late to get vaccinated. The Influenza Vaccine Campaign begins September 4, Put it on the calendar and schedule it into your day. Go to get Flu Shot! It is Flu Friday! 12

13 If you do not get the vaccine.be prepared for the possible onset of influenza illness and it s related signs and symptoms. Signs and symptoms can start abruptly and include: Fever can be as high as 101 F to 102 F Body aches Sore throat Headache Extreme tiredness Nonproductive cough Runny or stuffy nose 13

14 How do you get the vaccine? Cedars-Sinai Medical Center offers the influenza vaccine free of charge to all employees, medical staff, volunteers and contract workers. Flu Clinics are available throughout the Medical Center. Watch the for ongoing updates. Clinics are advertised on the CSMC Intranet. Stop by Employee Health Services between these hours: Monday Friday 7 am to 4 pm FLU MIST can only be obtained in Employee Health Services. 14

15 Now you have the facts on the influenza and the vaccine that prevents it. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center hopes that this education has given you the knowledge you need to decide to receive the flu vaccine. Plan on attending one of the many Flu Clinics to receive the vaccine. 15

16 If after having reviewed all the facts on why you should be vaccinated, you still wish to decline protection from influenza, please follow the steps below upon completion of this presentation. A. Print out 3 copies of the certification of completion of this course. 1. Give one to your manager. 2. One to accompany your declination form. 3. One for your files. Fill out the influenza vaccine declination form. B. Attach copy of the certificate of completion with the white copy of the declination form. A. Present the certificate of completion and declination form in person to either an/a: 1. Employee Health Services 2. Flu Ambassador 3. Flu Ambassador at a Flu Clinic 16