It’s that time of the season again. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the vaccine for all persons over the age of 6 months, especially health care workers. Working in a health care environment increases your risk of exposure. You may become infected and experience only mild symptoms but still pass the virus to patients, co-workers and members of your family.
Excel Health Care Services is requesting all Staff to take the flu shot and send over the required paperwork to the office. If for any reason you cannot take the shot please also provide the paperwork to that effect.
The agency is requesting everyone to complete the shot on or before the end of October 2018.
Our highest priority must be to protect our clients, many of whom are exceptionally vulnerable to adverse outcomes from the flu.
Thanks for your cooperation.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
1. Why does Excel Health Care require the Flu Vaccine as a condition of Employment?
Our responsibility as a health care Agency is to participate in evidence-based practices that protect our clients, each other and our communities. The Influenza Prevention Plan is directly linked to our People Centered Strategic plan/goal. Public Health officials and associations indicate that whenever possible required annual staff vaccination is the most effective way of protecting staff and patients from contracting and transmitting influenza.
2. Does the Flu vaccination give you the Flu?
NO. The flu shot does not give you the flu. Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about 2 weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that circulate in the population during each flu season.
3. Are the side effects of vaccination worse than the Flu?
NO. The licensed influenza vaccines in the United States are among the safest of all available vaccines. The worst side effect you are likely to get is a sore arm. Risk of severe allergic reaction is very low and is reported to be less than one in four million.
4. Can I get the seasonal flu even though I received a flu vaccine this year?
YES. The ability of a flu vaccine to protect a person depends on two things: (1) the age and health status of the person vaccinated, and (2) the similarity of “match” between the virus strains in the vaccine and those circulating in the community. The effectiveness of the vaccine ranges between 25 – 60%. The reason for the range is the influenza virus that appears in any season can change. However, even if the vaccine does not match the strains of flu, there can be some protection gained from the vaccine. The level of effectiveness reflects how close the match is between the formula of vaccine and the flu viruses that circulate each flu season. The flu vaccine is one of the best ways to prevent illness and flu-related complications.
5. How long does it take for a flu vaccination to provide immunity?
It takes about two weeks after you have gotten your flu shot for the vaccination to provide protection. That is why it is beneficial to receive the vaccination early in the season; the best time is early October or sooner.
To: All Staff
From: Viola Ikechi, VP/Director of Operations
Date: 02 October, 2018