Protect Yourself and Your Patients From the Flu

As a healthcare professional, you are committed to protecting your patients’ health as a top priority.  One way you can help your patients stay healthy is by getting your yearly flu vaccination.  Getting vaccinated also protects you from the flu and prevents spreading the disease to your family.

Flu vaccinations have been recommended for healthcare workers for several years, yet many professionals are still not getting vaccinated.  In fact, only 42 percent of healthcare professionals receive a flu vaccination each year, despite the recommendations and information on why it’s so important to get vaccinated. 

Healthcare professionals are able to spread disease to their patients even when they have no symptoms.  This is one reason why it is extremely important for healthcare professionals to get an annual flu vaccination. 

There are two flu vaccines available; the flu shot and the nasal spray flu vaccine (FluMist).  The nasal spray vaccine is composed of live, attenuated flu viruses, and is recommended for healthy people, ages 5-49 years, that are not pregnant.   The flu shot contains inactivated, or killed flu viruses.  Healthcare professionals that work with patients who have severely weakened immune systems should get the flu shot.

 There are many misconceptions about flu vaccinations.  The following information contains answers to commonly asked questions about flu vaccines.  Hopefully this information will motivate you to get vaccinated, and also help you educate your patients about flu vaccinations.

Q:  Can flu vaccines give me the flu?
A:  It is not possible to get the flu from a flu vaccination because it is made from killed or weakened viruses that are no longer able to cause disease.  Some people may get a mild fever or experience muscle aches for 1-2 days after vaccination.  These are normal reactions to the vaccine that happen when the immune system starts responding to the vaccine.

Q:  I do not usually get the flu, so why should I get vaccinated?
A:  Anyone can benefit from getting a flu vaccination.  Flu vaccinations reduce the chance that a person will get the flu.  Even if you do not usually get the flu or are not one of the groups at high risk for complications, you can spread the flu to people who have a greater chance of becoming seriously ill from the flu.

Protect yourself, your patients, and your family.  Get your flu shot!

For more information about the flu and flu vaccines, visit:
www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/immunize/flu_updates.htm

If you are a healthcare employer or administrator, you can access tools to plan a flu vaccination clinic for your employees at: 
www.withinreachwa.org/forprof/IACW/Influenza.htm