Fall is here and so is Flu Vaccine!
What you need to know about
influenza and the flu vaccine
Objectives
• Test your knowledge about influenza (“flu”) and flu vaccine.
• Remind you of the importance of getting a flu shot.
• Describe OHSU’s goal and plan for vaccinating employees.
• Enlist your support in reaching our goal.
• Remind you about the “Masking Policy.”
Test Your Flu I.Q.
Let’s see how much you know about
influenza…
Question #1: Hospitalizations
On average, how many people in the U.S. are hospitalized each year
due to influenza and its complications?
a. 50,000
b. 100,000
c. 150,000
d. 200,000
Answer
On average, how many people in the U.S. are hospitalized each year due to
influenza and its complications?
a. 50,000
b. 100,000
c. 150,000
d. 200,000
Influenza and its complications lead to 36,000 deaths per year.
In 2011, it was the 8th leading cause of death among adults.
Question #2 - Transmission
How is flu transmitted?
a. contact with droplets containing the virus after an
infected person coughs or sneezes
b. close contact with someone who is infected
c. touching contaminated surfaces and then one’s
own eyes, nose or mouth
d. all of the above
Answer
How is flu transmitted?
a. contact with droplets containing the virus after an infected person
coughs or sneezes
b. close contact with someone who is infected
c. touching contaminated surfaces and then one’s own eyes, nose or mouth
d. all of the above
Flu is highly contagious. Young children, older adults and
individuals with other medical conditions can be especially
susceptible to influenza infection and complications.
Question #3 - Transmission
True of False? Infected individuals can be infectious
before they develop symptoms.
a. True
b. False
Answer
True of False? Infected individuals can be infectious before they develop
symptoms.
a. True
b. False
Infected persons can spread influenza starting the day before
their symptoms appear and for about 5 to 7 days after
symptoms begin. That’s why OHSU requires non-vaccinated
healthcare personnel to wear a mask during Influenza Season.
Question #4 - Flu Vaccine
True or False. Getting the flu vaccine can cause you
to get the flu.
a. True
b. False
Answer
True or False. Getting the flu vaccine can cause you to get the flu.
a. True
b. False
There are many myths about flu vaccine, one of which is that
it will cause you to get the flu. The flu vaccine cannot cause
the flu. The viruses in the vaccine are either killed (flu shot)
or weakened (nasal mist), rendering them incapable of
causing infection. As with most vaccines, people can feel
“yucky” for a day or two after the injection.
Question #5 - Flu Vaccine
True or False. Experts recommend that individuals receive an annual
flu shot.
a. True
b. False
Answer
True or False. Experts recommend that individuals receive an annual flu
shot.
a. True
b. False
Annual vaccination against seasonal flu is recommended for
two reasons: 1) new flu vaccines are made each year to
protect against the flu viruses that are expected to be most
prevalent that year; and 2) immunity declines over time so
yearly vaccination is needed for optimal protection.
Great Job!
You know a lot about flu and can
share what you know with others!
Why is influenza vaccination important?
• Influenza vaccination is the best protection we have
from flu and its complications and helps prevent
spreading flu from person to person. This is especially
important in the healthcare setting because of the
vulnerable patients we serve.
What are the symptoms of influenza?
• Symptoms of influenza can include:
- fever (temperature usually 101°F to 102°F).
- muscle aches and pains
- sore throat
- headache
- extreme tiredness
- nonproductive cough
- runny or stuffy nose
- eye pain and sensitivity to light
• These symptoms can occur suddenly and remember: influenza can be transmitted
even before symptoms appear!
Why should staff get the flu vaccine?
• To protect the vulnerable
• To protect their patients
• To protect themselves
• To protect family/loved ones
• To protect their colleagues
• To protect the community
We Want Healthy Staff & Healthy Patients
Influenza infection can result in…
Staff illness:
Patient illness:
• decreased productivity
• influenza complications
• absence from work
• increased length of hospital stay
• staffing shortages
• ED visits / readmissions
• costly replacement staff
• uncompensated care
• decreased staff morale
• decreased patient satisfaction
OHSU’s Flu Vaccine Target: 95%
• All hospitals, including OHSU, must annually report to the state the total
number of healthcare personnel (HCP) at the facility, the number of HCP
who received influenza vaccine, and information regarding why those who
declined vaccination chose to do so.
• Last year OHSU set a very high target for flu vaccination among healthcare
personnel: 95%. We reached a vaccination rate of 84%: lower than target
but much higher than the prior year (44%).
• This year’s goal is again 95%.
This Year’s Campaign
Communications
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
key messages
“myth busting”
simplified forms
‘13 stickers
incentives
newsletters
blogs
posters
Vaccine Availability
•
•
•
•
•
on the unit
in Occ. Health
Flu Clinics
site visits
PCP offices
Data
• records from units
• timely data entry in
Occ. Health
• Declination forms
• frequent reports
Policies
• Masking Policy
• Ill Provider Policy
“OCCtober” is the month!
• No, this isn’t a spelling error. We’re hoping that all employees will view
October as Occupational Health month.
• October is the best time for employees to get their flu shots, as it’s early
in the season. It can take up to two weeks after getting a flu shot to
build-up protective immunity.
• Employees who get their flu shot through Occupational Health in
October can also get their annual TB test and N-95 fit test if needed.
Other Incentives only available in October*
Benefits to staff who get their flu shot by October 31:
- a $2 coupon, redeemable for food or beverages, at the
Daily Café (CHH) or any Marquam Café location
- 100 Healthy Steps points
- their flu vaccine, combined with one other item on the
qualifying list, counts toward a reduction in the cost of
their medical insurance
*Employees who receive their flu shot in
September will receive the same benefits
Flu Vaccine Availability
Occupational Health is offering flu vaccine “clinics” as follows:
Hatfield Research Center (HRC) 9th floor Atrium:
• Tuesdays, October 1, 8, 15, 29
• 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Center for Health and Healing (CHH) Lobby Level Atrium:
• Tuesday, October 22
• 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Drop-in Clinic at Occupational Health (first floor of Multnomah Pavilion)
• Wednesdays, October 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30
• 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or by appointment (call 4-5271 to schedule)
Flu Vaccine Distribution to Units & Clinics
Many areas administer flu vaccine to the providers, staff and
volunteers on their unit or in their clinic. We’re so appreciative of
their help. With responsibility for vaccinating 15,000 employees
and volunteers, there’s no way that Occupational Health staff
could do this on their own. It takes a huge team effort!
Each year, Occupational Health distributes flu vaccine “packets”
to these units for on-site administration. With this year’s
outreach efforts, we have already distributed 65 packets to
various units, for a total of 2600 doses of vaccine. That’s more
than double the amount distributed at this time last year!
Influenza Vaccine Declination Form
Employees have the right to decline receiving influenza vaccine from
OHSU, however they must complete an “Influenza Vaccine Declination
Form” and return it to Occupational Health.
The form is used to document the reason for declining to receive the
vaccine on the unit or through Occupational Health:
- Declining because they received it elsewhere: we’ll record this information in
the employee’s record in our database and they’ll get credit for being vaccinated.
- Declining for other reasons (contraindications; fears or concerns; personal,
philosophical and/or religious beliefs): the reason will be documented in the
employee’s record in our database. They are considered “non-vaccinated” and
must adhere to the masking requirement during Influenza Season.
Influenza Vaccination and Masking Policy
“All OHSU employees must receive the seasonal influenza vaccination through
Occupational Health (formerly called ‘Employee Health’) or complete and
submit an Influenza Vaccine Declination Form. All healthcare personnel who do
not receive the seasonal influenza vaccination, regardless of the reason for not
getting the influenza vaccination, must wear a surgical mask within six feet of a
patient in patient care areas during the influenza season* to help protect
patients and prevent influenza transmission.”
*Influenza Season (a.k.a. “Masks On Period”) begins when there are two or more lab-confirmed Influenza cases
within a two week period identified in the OHSU Lab or at Oregon Public Health Laboratory as reviewed and
determined by OHSU’s Infection Prevention and Control department.
What do we need from you?
• Please get your flu shot, preferably before October 31.
• Spread the word about when/where flu vaccine is available.
• Help to dispel “myths” about flu vaccine among peers and others.
• If you do not want to get your flu shot through OHSU’s Occupational Health,
you must complete a Declination Form (even if you receive a flu shot
somewhere else).
• Be mindful of the Influenza Vaccination and Masking Policy – if you’re not
vaccinated and work in a patient care area, you will be required to wear a
mask when within 6 feet of a patient during Influenza Season.
Feel free to contact us with questions
Elena Riker, Medical Assistant (6-0186)
Call for clinical information about flu vaccination, including
contraindications, availability and the declination process
Kevin Howden, Business Data Analyst (4-4374)
Call for questions about data and reporting
Tammy Wade, Director (4-8817)
Call for questions about policies or any concerns
related to the influenza vaccination campaign