When The Cold Comes - Keep the Flu Away:

Transcription

1 WHEN THE COLD COMES - KEEP THE FLU AWAY: A HEALTHSTAT FLU COMMUNICATIONS TOOLKIT 1 When The Cold Comes - Keep the Flu Away: A Healthstat Flu Communications Toolkit JULY 2018 / v 1.0

2 Introduction / Everyone in your workplace needs a flu shot. Far too many people won t get one, and the results of spreading flu can be devastating. In this marketing kit, we address concerns about the flu and the best ways to prevent it. Help encourage your employees to protect themselves, their loved ones and your workplace! WHEN THE COLD COMES - KEEP THE FLU AWAY: A HEALTHSTAT FLU COMMUNICATIONS TOOLKIT 2

3 WHEN THE COLD COMES - KEEP THE FLU AWAY: A HEALTHSTAT FLU COMMUNICATIONS TOOLKIT 3 Contents / Flyers 4 Digital Slides 5 Facebook Post Images 6 Posters 7 Postcard 8

4 WHEN THE COLD COMES - KEEP THE FLU AWAY: A HEALTHSTAT FLU COMMUNICATIONS TOOLKIT 4 Flyers / Flu Myths & Facts 1. MYTH: The flu shot can give you the flu. No. The flu shot cannot give you the flu. Vaccines made under CDC guidelines use inactivated viruses that can t cause infection, or no virus at all. 2. MYTH: I got a flu shot last year, so I don t need another one this year. No. Flu vaccine is made to be effective for one flu season from October through May. You should get a flu shot each year. 3. MYTH: It s better to get the flu than the flu shot. Dangerous! Influenza is a very serious illness. Influenza and related pneumonia are the 8th leading cause of death in the U.S. The influenza vaccine protects you from getting sick, makes the flu milder if you do get it, and dramatically reduces flu-related hospitalizations. Getting a flu shot is quick and easy and will save you from missing school, work, or time with your loved ones. It can even save your life. 4. MYTH: You can still get the flu even if you get the flu shot. We admit, this one s not really a myth. As we saw in last year s terrible flu season, there is variation in how well the vaccine works each year. It will depend how well the vaccine matches the virus that season, and on the age and health of the person getting the vaccine. But one thing remains constant even if the flu shot doesn t keep you from getting a case of the flu, it can protect you from hospitalization or even death. 5. MYTH: Young children, pregnant women, people with chronic conditions, and older adults should not get flu shots. No! These groups of people are most vulnerable to flu-related complications and should be strongly encouraged to get vaccinated. The CDC recommends the flu shot for anyone over 6 months old. Studies have shown that the vaccine reduces the risk of hospitalization by more than 70 percent for any age group. The vaccine protects pregnant women and their babies for 6 months after birth and is 92 percent effective in preventing infant hospitalization. It also decreases the likelihood of a miscarriage and other birth complications. 6. MYTH: Flu shots contain harmful preservatives that are toxic to humans. No. Healthstat s product of choice for influenza vaccination is a single dose pre-filled syringe. Single-dose syringes and vials do not contain the preservative that s found in multi-dose vials. 7. MYTH: Antibiotics will help you feel better if you have the flu. Incorrect! Antibiotics are used for treating bacterial infections. The flu is caused by a virus and can be treated with prescription antiviral medications. Antivirals can help reduce the severity of the flu and decrease sick time by a few days. Flu medications should not be used as a substitution for the influenza vaccine. 8. MYTH: You can t spread the flu when you don t feel sick. Typhoid Mary!! Actually, 20 to 30 percent of people carrying the flu have no symptoms. This means it is still possible to spread the flu to others when you re feeling healthy. 9. MYTH: I ve never had the flu, so I probably won t get it. No. Everyone who is exposed to the flu is affected by the flu. Some people just react differently to it. You are contagious to those around you because of the virus you host. It doesn t have to affect you to make you a danger to others. Also, it s a bit like saying that you ve never been hit by a car so you re not going to look both ways before you cross the street. It may just be luck, and luck is not a sound plan. 10. MYTH: It s a good idea to get the flu shot as late as possible so it lasts through the whole flu season. NO. Timing is everything. The CDC recommends getting the flu shot by the end of October. If you miss this deadline, you can still get vaccinated at any time during the influenza season. One dose of the flu vaccine protects most people throughout the entire influenza season. Immunity does wear off faster with age, so people over 65 may consider a higher dose vaccine or flu shots 6 months apart. To schedule an appointment, call the Healthstat scheduling line at powered by:

5 WHEN THE COLD COMES - KEEP THE FLU AWAY: A HEALTHSTAT FLU COMMUNICATIONS TOOLKIT 5 Digital Slides / These will be displayed on TV screens and/or computer monitors to communicate updates to employees. Flu Facts Flu Clinic Information

6 WHEN THE COLD COMES - KEEP THE FLU AWAY: A HEALTHSTAT FLU COMMUNICATIONS TOOLKIT 6 Facebook Post Templates / Templates available for clinics with active Facebook pages. Keep posts short & specific. Phrase your posts as questions to spark dialogue. Post in the afternoon or early evenings for higher engagement opportunities. Flu Fact Flu Shot Cover Your Cough

7 Posters / WHEN THE COLD COMES - KEEP THE FLU AWAY: A HEALTHSTAT FLU COMMUNICATIONS TOOLKIT 7

8 Postcard / WHEN THE COLD COMES - KEEP THE FLU AWAY: A HEALTHSTAT FLU COMMUNICATIONS TOOLKIT 8

9 WHEN THE COLD COMES - KEEP THE FLU AWAY: A HEALTHSTAT FLU COMMUNICATIONS TOOLKIT 9 For more information on this toolkit, please reach out to your account manager. healthstatinc.com