The week of  Dec. 8-14 is recognized as National Influenza Vaccination Week. Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and MUSC leadership urge all health care professionals to get vaccinated against the flu. In today’s era of staff shortages, longer work days and incredibly busy staff, nurses and other health care  workers may be adding more responsibilities to their co-workers when stricken with the flu and cannot work.
 
Influenza can occur at anytime between November through May. Just recently the Medical University Hospital documented the first culture-confirmed flu case at MUSC. This indicates that influenza is in the community.
 
According to the CDC, an influenza vaccine can prevent influenza from developing. The vaccine contains an inactivated or killed influenza virus, therefore, the flu shot cannot give someone the flu.
 
“The flu vaccine not only protects us but also our patients and families,” said Linda Formby, R.N., Infection Control manager. “We are striving to achieve our own institution’s goal and exceed the national average for vaccination among health care workers.”
 
The vaccine is available to staff at no charge. Employees may receive the flu vaccine at the following locations: 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weekdays, Employee Health Services office, 57 Bee Street; Chest Pain Center/ART and 1West Adult Emergency Department (main hospital), 4 – 9 a.m., daily.
 
Employees may download the Flu Vaccine Consent Form for completion prior to arrival http://mcintranet.musc.edu/ehs/flu_2008.htm.
 
“So far we’ve had good success in vaccinating our health care workers, but haven’t yet achieved our goals,” Formby said. “We need to increase the number of people on campus to be immunized and this is a perfect reminder.”
 
Students also may get vaccinated at Student Health Services on Friday, Dec. 5, between 8 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., and 2 to 3:45 p.m. Students are reminded to check their e-mails after Dec. 5 for more information about receiving the flu vaccine.

 

Friday, Dec. 5, 2008