News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 02, 2013
MEDIA CONTACT: Stephanie Poyant
Public Information Officer
Southcoast Health System
Office: 508-973-5280
Cell: 774-634-1460
poyants@southcoast.org
www.southcoast.org/news/releases/
Southcoast promotes importance of receiving the flu vaccine
NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — With the flu season fast approaching, Southcoast® Health System
would like to remind the public that the best way to protect themselves, their family and the community is
to get a seasonal flu vaccine.
“The best way to protect against the flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year,” said Robert J.
Caldas, DO, Senior Vice President & Chief Medical Officer for Southcoast Health System.
The seasonal flu is a very serious and contagious disease of the respiratory system that can lead to
hospitalization and sometimes even death, Dr. Caldas said.
“Every flu season is different and the flu can affect people in different ways,” Dr. Caldas said.
“Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and can spread it to others. Symptoms are often
confused with the common cold, but are much more severe and potentially dangerous.”
Receiving the annual flu vaccine is an effective way to reduce the chances of contracting the
seasonal flu and lessen the chance that you will spread it to others.
“The more people that get vaccinated against the flu, the less the flu can spread throughout the
community,” Dr. Caldas said.
Southcoast recommends that people get vaccinated as soon as the flu season vaccine becomes
available in their community. Flu seasons are unpredictable and can begin as early as October. It takes
about two weeks after you receive the flu shot for a vaccine to become fully active in the body and
provide protection against the flu.
Southcoast takes additional steps to keep the community safe by requiring all Southcoast
employees and physicians to receive a flu vaccine annually. Those who are not vaccinated are required to
wear a surgical mask while working within six feet of another individual. This policy applies to all
employees — not just those in clinical areas — in all Southcoast locations and facilities. The mask is
required for those who do not receive the vaccine because the flu may be passed before a person knows
they are sick.
“We are taking very important precautionary measures that will keep our patients, employees and
visitors safe this flu season,” Dr. Caldas said. “We also would like members of the community to know
that if they see a staff member wearing a mask it is only a precautionary measure. Annual vaccinations for
health care providers are an important step toward keeping our patients safe and employees healthy.”
The flu virus is spread mainly by droplets projected into the air when people with the flu cough,
sneeze or talk. These droplets can land on people who are nearby. The flu may also be spread when a
person touches a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touches their own mouth, eyes or
possibly their nose.
The flu is highly contagious. Most healthy adults carrying the flu virus may be able to infect
others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after becoming sick.
Children may pass the virus for longer than seven days. Symptoms start one to four days after the virus
enters the body. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you
are sick, as well as while you are sick. Some people can be infected with the flu virus without having any
symptoms. During this time, those people may still spread the virus to others. Some people, especially
young children and people with weakened immune systems, might be able to infect others for an even
longer time.
Southcoast is also asking visitors to refrain from visiting the hospital if they are sick. If you must
come to the hospital while you are sick, you will be asked to wear a mask, which will be provided at no
charge at each of the main entrances and Emergency Department entrances.
Who should get vaccinated?
It is recommended that everyone who is at least 6 months of age or older get a flu vaccine. It is
especially important for the most at-risk people to get vaccinated. Those people include the following:


People who are at high-risk of developing serious complications like pneumonia if they get
sick with the flu.
o People who have certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes and chronic
lung disease.
o Pregnant women.
o People 65 years and older.
People who live with or care for others who are high risk for developing serious
complications.
o Household contacts and caregivers of people with certain medical conditions
including asthma, diabetes and chronic lung disease.
Who should not get vaccinated?
The following people should not get a flu vaccine without first consulting a physician:




People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination.
Children younger than 6 months of age.
People with a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome should consult with their doctor before
obtaining a vaccine.
People who have a moderate to severe illness with a fever should wait until they recover before
getting vaccinated. For more information visit www.mass.gov/dph/flu or www.cdc.gov/flu/.
Flu vaccines are available in many locations including doctor’s offices, clinics, urgent care
centers, health departments, pharmacies, college health centers and some schools. The Southcoast Health
Van offers free flu vaccinations throughout the community. The Southcoast Health Van schedule can be
found at www.southcoast.org/van/. You can also use the following Flu Vaccine Locator to find the
nearest vaccine available in your area www.flunearyou.org.
More information about the flu can be found at www.southcoast.org/flu/.
About Southcoast Health System & Southcoast Hospitals Group
Southcoast Health System is a community based health delivery system with multiple access
points, offering an integrated continuum of health services throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and
East Bay, Rhode Island. It includes the three hospitals that make up Southcoast Hospitals Group —
Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford and Tobey Hospital in
Wareham.
Southcoast provides advanced clinical services, such as open heart surgery, angioplasty and heart
rhythm services, comprehensive cancer care, neurosurgery, weight loss surgery, orthopedic surgery,
advanced imaging services and is the only provider of maternity services in the region.
Southcoast is a not-for-profit charitable organization that depends on the support of the
community to provide services. More information is available online at www.southcoast.org. Connect to
Southcoast through social media at www.southcoast.org/connect/.
Southcoast® is a registered trademark of Southcoast Health System Inc.
###