Kootenai | Kootenai Health | Issue 4, 2017

Take Aim at the Flu Nearly everyone 6 months and older needs to get this yearly vaccine. That’s because the flu can make people very sick and cause serious complications. People miss a significant amount of time from work or school because of the flu. Even worse, every year people are hospitalized or die from the flu. “The vaccine is inactive, meaning you cannot get sick from the vaccine itself,” said Sean Cook, M.D., with Kootenai Clinic Infectious Disease. “Just two weeks after receiving the vaccine, your body creates enough antibodies to protect against infection caused by the influenza virus.” The vaccine is particularly recommended for people who are most vulnerable to the flu and its complications, including: • Children 6 months to 4 years old • People 50 and older • People with chronic lung, heart, kidney and other diseases • People with weak immune systems • Women who are or will be pregnant during the flu season • Residents of nursing homes or other long-term care facilities • People who live with or care for children younger than 5 years old or adults 50 and older There are rare excep- tions to the flu-shot rule. For example, people who have severe, life-threatening allergies to a flu vaccine or any ingredients in a vaccine shouldn’t get it. When to roll up that sleeve It’s best to get vaccinated before flu season hits hard. But it’s not too late to get your shot. Some children need to get two doses of the vaccine (talk to your child’s doctor if you’re not sure whether that’s the case for your child.) Experts recommend that those kids get their first dose as soon as possible after the vaccine becomes available. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Who should get a flu shot? Chances are, the answer is you Kootenai Health Takes Steps to Protect Patients Over the past few years, Kootenai Health has incorporated an aggressive policy in flu prevention. To help protect staff members and patients and set an example for other com- munity organizations, all Kootenai Health staff members agree to receive a vaccination in the month of October. “In 2016, 99 percent of Kootenai Health employees and con- tracted staff received the influenza vaccine,” said Amy Ward, Kootenai Health infection preven- tion manager. “Kootenai Health had the second highest vaccination completion rate for hospital employees in the state last year.” Amy said getting an annual flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against influenza. To help further prevent the spread of the flu and other diseases, she suggests washing your hands frequently and using proper respira- tory etiquette—sneezing and coughing into a tissue or your elbow, disposing of the tissue appropriately, and stay- ing home when ill. KH . ORG 9