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Keep yourself and others protected from the flu
October 15, 2012
Flu facts:
- The flu virus sends approximately 20,000 Canadians to hospital every year.
- The flu shot is an effective way to help you and your family stay healthy this season.
- You should get vaccinated as early as possible, but with flu season stretching from October to April, it’s never too late.
- The vaccine is safe and strengthens your immune system to fight the flu.
- Flu symptoms are more serious than the common cold. Infection can easily spread through coughing, sneezing and general contact.
- It is important to get the flu shot every year because flu strains change and the annual vaccination works to fight the most recent strains.
As winter approaches we must not only prepare for colder weather, but also for influenza (cold) season. Women’s College Hospital’s (WCH) occupational health and safety team would like to remind staff and physicians about the importance of getting the flu vaccination.
The flu vaccine is your best defence for stopping the flu before it starts. It’s accessible, quick, convenient and safe. Without it, Ontario could expect 30,000 more visits to hospital emergency rooms due to influenza cases, and 300 more deaths. The flu shot not only protects society as a whole, but also prevents wasted time, money and distress.
“Taking a few minutes out of your day to schedule a flu shot will not only help protect yourself but also your colleagues, patients and family,” says Angela Wrobel, occupational health and safety nurse. “It also means not sacrificing sick days or vacation days to get better.”
The flu can affect everyone, but for individuals with compromised immune systems, such as the elderly, young children, infants and those with underlying medical conditions, the flu could prove life-threatening. Even for healthy individuals, the flu could leave you feeling miserable for an extended period of time – which is unnecessary since it is easily preventable.
WCH’s Occupational Health and Safety team will be handing out exciting draw prizes and gift cards to all staff and physicians who get their vaccination.
Flu clinics will begin on Tuesday Oct. 16 in the main lobby and will take place every Tuesday and Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. until Nov. 7.
For more information on the flu, visit fightflu.ca.
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