Flu season is just around the corner and MUSC Employee Health is preparing to fight this illness among employees.

Five to 20 percent of Americans contract influenza yearly, and on average around 200,000 of them are hospitalized with the illness or complications related to the disease. With an estimated 36,000 deaths annually from influenza, and its complications, it is the nation's eighth leading cause of death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommend that all health care workers get an annual flu vaccine.

Influenza viruses are always changing, so annual vaccination is recommended. Each year scientists try to match the viruses in the vaccine to those most likely to cause flu that year. Flu vaccine will not prevent disease from other viruses, including flu viruses not contained in the vaccine. About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against influenza virus infection develop in the body.

Flu vaccine is available for MUHA, MUSC, UMA, Crothall and Sodexo employees and volunteers. For fast and convenient service, employees are encouraged to receive the flu vaccine at one of the campuswide satellites hosted by Employee Health Services and Infection Control. Bring your MUSC ID badge and your MUSC ID number – social security numbers will no longer be used to verify compliance. Students may obtain the vaccine from Student Health Services and will be available at the library portico flu tent event; however agency and other non-MUSC paid employees are not eligible. Wear loose fitting clothing that can easily be lifted to the shoulder. For fastest service complete the Flu Vaccine Consent Form before you arrive (available at http://tinyurl.com/d768t6k) and bring with you for entry into the express line. Forms will also be available at the administration site.

Flu tent schedule
--Sept. 19: 7 a.m. – 4 p.m., Colbert Education Center & Library portico and Ashley River Tower portico
--Sept. 20: 7 a.m. – 4 p.m., Colbert Education Center & Library portico

Satellite schedule
Ashley River Tower Chest Pain Center and the university Emergency Department will administer flu vaccinations to employees daily from 4 to 7 a.m. beginning Sept. 24. Employees also may receive the flu vaccine from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with faster service between 1 and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, at Employee Health Services' office, 57 Bee St.
--Oct. 3: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Children's Hospital lobby
--Oct. 4: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Room 803, Harborview Office Tower
--Oct. 17: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., ART first floor
--Oct. 31: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Children's Hospital lobby
--Nov. 14: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Children's Hospital lobby
--Nov. 28: 11a.m. – 1 p.m. Children's Hospital lobby
--Dec. 5: 11a.m. – 1 p.m. Children's Hospital lobby

Employee Wellness events

• ZUMBA at Harborview Office Tower: Join licensed Zumba instructor Felecia Curry for a weekly Wednesday night Zumba class held from 5 to 6 p.m., Room 910 in Harborview Office Tower. Zumba is a dance-based aerobic exercise class and Curry tailors the workout to accommodate any fitness level. Space is limited. Email curryf@musc.edu or call 822-6136 for more information or to register.
• MUSC Urban Farm: Family Workday will be held from 9 to 11 a.m., Sept. 15. Topic of the day: Engaging children in the garden. Participants will learn how to make a toad habitat, from a humble home to an amphibian hotel, plus organic strategies for cutworm control. Take home some fresh produce in return for work efforts on the farm.
  Bring water, sunscreen and wear closed toe shoes. Email urbanfarm@musc.edu to register.
• Special Urban Farm Lunch & Learn Series – Presented by MUSC Dietetic Interns, this series begins Sept. 17 from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. in the Urban Farm. Intern Amelia Votapka will host the first topic: "The Game Plan" — ways to control your weight at the tailgate this football season. Learn about which vegetables are in season and simple ways to enjoy your favorite foods without guilt. Bring your lunch, no registration required.
• Worksite Screening: Sept. 27 in Room 109, Colbert Education Center & Library Building. This screening, valued at about $350, is available to employees with the State Health Plan for only $15 (covered spouses can also participate for $15). Employees and spouses without this insurance can participate for $42. The screening includes: height, weight, blood pressure and a blood draw for a blood chemistry profile, hemogram, and a blood lipid profile. To register, go to www.musc.edu/employeewellness and click Worksite Screening.
• MUSC Employee Fitness Series: A free exercise bands class will be held from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., Sept. 19 at the Wellness Center. Exercise bands can be used for a great total body workout. This class will be led by fitness expert Katie Blaylock from the MUSC Human Performance Lab. Participants will receive a free one-day pass to the Wellness Center. E-mail musc-empwell@musc.edu to register.
• Farmers market: Fresh fruits and vegetables are available from local farmers from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. every Friday in the Horseshoe and in the area next to Ashley River Tower.
  

Contact Johnson, Ph.D., at johnsusa@musc.edu for more information on the Office of Health Promotion and Suzan Benenson Whelan at whela@musc.edu for specific information about Employee Wellness. Events, speakers, classes or any other ideas are welcome.