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Employee influenza prevention campaign under way by Mary C. Allen, RN Outcomes & Quality Management Calls are already coming into MUSC Infection Control and the Employee Health Service asking about availability and venues for vaccination.   Employee Health Service and Infection Control each year work together to ensure that all MUSC, MUHA and UMA employees are immunized.   “The availability of influenza vaccine is good this year and we hope to immunize a record number of MUSC staff and employees,” said Linda Formby, Infection Control manager. Something new Along with the influenza prevention campaign, MUSC will be integrating the use of new disaster preparedness tents to facilitate provision of the vaccine. The tents are about 20-by-40 feet in size with two doors, and can accommodate a number of people along with tables, chairs, heating and cooling equipment and lighting.   “We will be testing the set up and take down of the tents on a quarterly basis to ensure disaster readiness if the need should arise,” said Brian Fletcher, MUSC Clinical Services Disaster Preparedness coordinator. “The employee influenza campaign is an appropriate inauguration for this equipment.”   The single best way to prevent influenza is to get vaccinated each fall. In addition, good health habits such as effective hand hygiene, use of tissues to contain secretions and avoiding contact with others who exhibit flu symptoms goes a long way to preventing influenza. FAQs to keep you informed Why receive the annual influenza (flu) vaccine? Estimated vaccination coverage is still less than 50 percent for those recommended to receive influenza immunization including, children, pregnant women, adults at risk for complications and health care workers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 20 percent of the United States’ population gets influenza each year. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized with the flu, and about 36,000 die due to flu complications. Healthy individuals are not exempt from influenza morbidity or mortality.   Experts at the World Health Organization and CDC believe “the world is now closer to influenza pandemic than any time since the last global outbreak occurred in 1968.” Experts insist that an impending flu pandemic is just a matter of time. So, it is important to take the vaccine each year to become familiar and comfortable with vaccinations. This will help people be better prepared in case more vaccinations are required in case pandemic flu emerges. When is it going to be available to employees? On Oct. 16 and 17, MUSC is making influenza vaccination available at no cost to employees of MUSC, MUHA, and UMA at the tent under the portico of the Education Center/Library Building. Hours of operation will be 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. to cover all shifts.   An influenza vaccination station will be open Wednesday, Oct. 18, during the Employee Benefits Fair, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Children’s Hospital lobby. Vaccine will also be available during Wellness Wednesdays, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oct. 24 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. beginning Oct. 24 through Nov. 28 in the Children’s Hospital lobby. As long as flu vaccine remains available, influenza immunization may also be obtained at Employee Health Services.   Managers may immunize their own staff. Contact Employee Health Services for additional information, or go to http:// www.musc.edu/ehs/flu_2007.htm to view the schedule. How long will it take to get the vaccine? Staff  from Infection Control, Employee Health, Patient Safety, and Nursing will be administering the vaccination. The influenza consent form is available online at the Employee Health Web site (http://mcintranet.musc.edu/ehs) this year so that staff can print and complete the forms ahead of time. Persons arriving with a completed and signed form may use the “express lane.” Is there a cost for MUSC employees?   The Influenza vaccination is free as an added benefit to employees of MUSC, MUHA and UMA, but be sure to wear your badge to prove employment. What are the components in this year’s vaccine? The 2007-2008 annual trivalent vaccine contains components against these strains: Type A/Solomon Islands, Type A/Wisconsin and Type B/Malaysia. Additional information is available at http://www.cdc.gov/flu.   While the 2007-2008 flu vaccine does not prevent all strains of flu, it is prepared to be effective against the current strains responsible for most flu disease and outbreaks.  How is the vaccine given? I hate needles! Does it hurt?   The flu vaccine is administered via intramuscular injection which is quick and without much discomfort. This form of vaccine is an inactivated (killed) vaccine and you will not contract flu from the shot. Which health care workers should receive the vaccine? All health care workers should receive the vaccine, unless there are contraindications.   Contraindications include persons with severe allergy to chicken eggs; people with severe reaction to previous flu vaccine; people with anaphylaxis (shock) to flu vaccination; people with previous Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within six weeks of getting an influenza vaccine; or people who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen. What are the benefits of the vaccine? Avoiding the flu means avoiding illness, fever, severe joint aches and pains and the medical bills to recover that go with the flu. Complications of flu can include pneumonia, ear and sinus infections, dehydration and worsening existing medical conditions such as heart failure, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis, or diabetes, just to name a few. There is a high cost to individuals and the workforce when a large number of people are unable to work because of influenza. There is the possibility of spreading flu to patients, children, teachers, and family members who may require hospitalization, expensive health care or die as a result of flu complications. What are the side effects or risks for influenza vaccination?   Most people do not experience any side effects of flu vaccination. Some persons report soreness, redness or swelling at the administration site. A few persons may report low grade fever. If reactive symptoms do occur, they begin soon after vaccination and only last one to two days.    You cannot get influenza disease from the flu shot and one occurrence of Guillian-Barre syndrome has been reported (1:1,000,000).     Friday, Oct. 12, 2007 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.