Fighting the Flu 2010 Managers’ Toolkit. All Rights Reserved, Duke Medicine 2007 Why Get the Flu Vaccine? Because we care about our patients! Looking.

Fighting the Flu 2010Managers’ Toolkit

All Rights Reserved, Duke Medicine 2007

Why Get the Flu Vaccine?

Because we care about our patients!

Looking at 30 years of data, the CDC estimates that during past flu seasons, the number of deaths have ranged from a low of 3,000 to a high of 49,000 people -- because of the flu virus.

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• The flu can be deadly, especially for the very young, the very old and those with chronic disease.

• Many Duke Medicine patients are in a high-risk group, making staff vaccination critical to reducing the risk of an outbreak and serious complications.

• The most effective way to prevent you from getting the flu, and spreading it to others, is to get the flu shot each year.

• Protect yourself, your family and our patients by getting the flu vaccine.

Why Get the Flu Vaccine?

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Flu Facts • This year, the CDC recommends that anyone over 6 months of

age be vaccinated as early as possible.

• The flu strain changes each year, so the previous years’ flu vaccinations will not work to protect you this year.

• The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the three influenza viruses that research suggests will be most common this year. This year's flu vaccines contain the H1N1 strains, so separate vaccinations are not necessary this year.

• The flu shot does not contain a live virus, and will not cause you to get the flu.

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Flu Clinics & Resources

For information on free employee flu vaccination clinics:• Main Duke Campus/Duke Hospital: 684-3136• Durham Regional: 470-5350• Duke Raleigh: 954-3275• Duke HomeCare & Hospice: 479-0435• Mobile carts, alternate shift and weekend vaccinations will be available at select locations; additional information can be found on the Duke Medicine intranet at: http://intranet.dukemedicine.org/influenza/

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Additional Ways to Prevent Flu

In addition to the flu shot: • Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm

water, especially before and after patient contact.• When you are not able to wash your hands, use

sanitizer, which is available throughout Duke Medicine facilities.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, as germs are often spread by touching contaminants and then touching these areas of your face.

Questions? Contact Employee Occupational Health & Wellness.