Return to Main Menu

Flu, whooping cough vaccines available by Linda Formby Infection Control It's time again for flu vaccines and this year we are urging more people to get vaccinated. Every year the same people step up to take the vaccine, and because of these faithful flu vaccine participants, we have less flu illness in the community and the hospital.   This year we are challenging those who normally don't take the vaccine to step up and protect themselves, their patients and their families.   Health care workers is one of the targeted groups for flu vaccination because of their risk of acquiring illness and then transmitting that illness to others, including their very vulnerable patients. Health care-acquired influenza occurs among patients every year in health care facilities across the United States and sometimes with bad outcomes, including death.   In spite of this, only about 40 percent of health care workers get vaccinated against flu each year. Our goal for this year are to significantly increase the number of staff who receive the flu vaccine.   The vaccine is safe and effective. It cannot cause the flu. Mild side effects may occur, but are much less serious than flu illness.   Please do your part to protect yourself, our patients and your family. Refer to the schedule below and take advantage of one of our vaccine clinics to get your flu vaccine.   Those who decline the flu vaccine are asked to complete a declination statement. This form can be found on the MUHA intranet (http://www.musc.edu/ehs/Influenza%20Vaccine%202006%20Declination.pdf) and must be completed and faxed to Employee Health Services at 792-1200.   In addition to the flu vaccine,  the whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine (Tdap) will be offered to staff who have direct patient contact. This vaccine was licensed in 2005 and includes the diphtheria and tetanus components.   Pertussis has been increasing in frequency among adults and children over the last several years. Protection against pertussis wanes through the years, leaving adults vulnerable, even though they may have been vaccinated against pertussis in childhood.   Pertussis causes severe coughing, which may last for weeks, and is often called the 100-day cough. The coughing can lead to vomiting. Complications include pneumonia, seizures and death. Infants are most vulnerable to the complications of pertussis.   Health care workers is one of the targeted groups to receive pertussis vaccine just like influenza vaccine, and it is recommended for the same reasons—to protect health care workers, their patients and families.   Tdap vaccine is safe and effective. Currently the recommendation is one dose for adults. It can also update diphtheria and tetanus vaccines, which are recommended every 10 years for adults.   There must be at least two years between your last tetanus vaccine and Tdap. It can be safely given along with flu vaccine. Please see us at the clinics to get your Tdap and flu vaccines. Vaccine information for all MUSC, MUHA, UMA, Crothall, Sodexho employees   Flu vaccine is now available for MUHA, MUSC, UMA, Crothall and Sodexho employees.   For fast and convenient service, employees are encouraged to receive the flu vaccine at one of the campuswide satellites scheduled by Employee Health Services and Infection Control. Bring your MUSC ID badge.   TB skin tests will be available for all employees.   Pertussis (TDAP, whooping cough) vaccine will be available for clinical (direct patient care) employees. Tuesday, Oct. 31 7 - 9 a.m., Room 107, Education Center/Library Flu only: 9 a.m. - noon, Room 803, Harborview Office Tower 2 - 4 p.m., Room 121,  Education Center/Library Wednesday, Nov. 1 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Children's Hospital lobby Thursday, Nov. 2 7 - 9 a.m., Room 107 Education Center/Library 2 - 4 p.m., Room 121,  Education Center/Library Tuesday, Nov. 7 7 - 9 a.m., Room 107, Education Center/Library 2 - 4 p.m. Room 121, Education Center/Library Thursday, Nov. 9 7 - 9 a.m. Room 107, Education Center/Library 2 - 4 p.m., Room 121, Education Center/Library Tuesday, Nov. 14 7 - 9 a.m., Room 107, Education Center/Library 2 - 4 p.m., Room 118, Education Center/Library Thursday, Nov. 16 7 - 9 a.m., Room 107, Education Center/Library 2 - 4 p.m., Room 121, Education Center/Library   Employees may also receive a flu vaccine and/or Tdap vaccine for clinical employees, at Employee Health Services' office (57 Bee Street) Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. No appointment is necessary, but bring your MUSC ID badge.   Information may be obtained at Employee Health Services: http://www.musc.edu/ehs/flu.htm.     Friday, Oct. 27, 2006 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.