PUBLIC HEALTH DIVISIONImmunization Program

Preventing influenza[Insert long-term care facility name here]

Do no harm . . . Stick out your arm!

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Have you heard?

• Influenza is referred to as “the flu”• Contagious respiratory illness• Symptoms vary

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Have you heard?

• 36,000 deaths annually• 200,000 people are hospitalized annually• 90% of the deaths are people 65 and older

www.cdc.gov, 2006

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Have you heard?

• You are one of the most important defenses against the flu entering [Insert Long-term care facility name here]

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Have you heard?

Who should get the shot• Long-term care residents

• All long-term care staff

• Family/visitors of residents

• Persons aged 2 – 49 yrs. with high risk conditions

• All persons > 50 years

• Pregnant women

• Children 6 months – 18 yrs

• Household contacts & caregivers of children < 6 months

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Signs and symptoms of flu

• Body aches • Chills • Dry cough • Fever • Headache • Sore throat • Stuffy nose

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Flu preventionGet vaccinated

• Your best protection

Practice good hygiene• Wash hands often

• Cover your mouth / nose when you cough / sneeze

• Put used tissues in waste basket

• Clean your hands after you cough / sneeze

• Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose or mouth

If you are diagnosed with the flu• Stay home

• Avoid close contact with others, or wear a mask

• Get rest and drink plenty of fluids

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Misconceptions

• “Getting the shot will cause the flu”

Reasons why many do not get immunized• “I’ve never gotten the flu, so I don’t need the

vaccine”

• “I got the shot last year”

• “I hate needles”

”A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds that getting the influenza vaccine lowers a person’s odds of a having heart attack, stroke, heart failure, or other major cardiac event—including death—by about a third over the following year.”

“…can help protect against premature labor and delivery”

http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/flu-shot-linked-to-lower-heart-attack-stroke-risk-201310236795

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/flu-shots/art-20044238

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/partners/flu-pregnancy-infographic.pdf

Did you know?

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Have you heard?

We will be offering the flu shot on

[Insert date and time(s) here]

What I can do to prevent the flu?

Stick out your arm!

Do no harm!

Did you know?Flu shots will be offered at[Insert date and time(s) here]

And are also available at• Public Health Departments• Pharmacies• Most medical offices