Employees are urged to get free seasonal flu shots now
One by one, Dean Pascal J. Goldschmidt, M.D., and members of his executive team rolled up their sleeves Monday morning to receive their annual flu vaccinations. In almost no time the process, an efficient one organized by the Employee Health Office, was over and everyone was back at work.
With flu season fast approaching, the top administrators made sure to get the shots to protect themselves and send a clear signal to faculty, staff and students that it is imperative they do the same.
"It is absolutely critical for the employees of this University and medical school to get 100 percent vaccination [for the regular flu] so that at a time when we also have to deal with swine flu, nobody is getting the regular flu and contributing to challenging the wellness of our community," Goldschmidt said after he received his flu shot. "We have to be responsible and do what's right to prevent our employees from having the seasonal flu. And once a vaccine becomes available for the swine flu, we will also start a campaign for vaccinations to avoid that problem for our employees."
The seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against the H1N1 influenza virus also known as swine flu. Once the H1N1 vaccine is developed and made available through the Centers for Disease Control - possibly as early as next month - employees will be notified.
Not only can the seasonal flu cause serious illness, but it can also lead to complications including bacterial pneumonia, sinus infections, dehydration and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma and diabetes. Rafael Campo, M.D., professor of medicine and medical director for employee health for the University of Miami Health System-UHealth, said he couldn't stress enough the need for employees to understand the possible consequences of not getting a flu shot - and to get one.
"For us as health care workers, it is especially important because we are protecting ourselves and we are protecting our families and there are several studies that show that if we vaccinate ourselves we do not transmit influenza to our patients, and we can actually reduce their mortality by our getting the vaccine," said Campo. "So this is critically important."
UHealth is making it easy and efficient for thousands of faculty and staff to get free flu shots. The process that started Monday continues today through October 29 at the Employee Health Office and various locations on the medical campus.
You should prepare for the flu vaccinations in three easy steps:
Step one: View the online schedule of free flu shots here: Flu Vaccine Schedule
Step two: Download and complete the consent form: Consent Form
Step three: Bring the completed consent form with you for your free flu shot. Be sure to wear a loose shirt with sleeves that can be rolled up.
Last year, more than 2,400 faculty and staff received a flu shot. "We have recognized that the rate of vaccination of direct health care workers will markedly impact the mortality of our patients in the hospital," said David Lubarsky, M.D., M.B.A., chair of anesthesiology and director of UM's H1N1 (swine flu) task force that is overseeing the flu vaccination program. "We have to get vaccinated if for no other reason than to protect the people we pledge to serve.
Click Flu Vaccine FAQs to view a list of frequently asked questions about the seasonal flu shots. For additional information, send an e-mail to schen@miami.edu.
To view more information about H1N1, visit www.miami.edu/h1n1.