Flu Influence

Fall is synonymous with the start of flu season, and experts are beginning to prepare for what could be another bad year. It is estimated that the U.S. saw as many as 650,000 hospitalizations and as many as 58,000 deaths due to flu during the 2022-2023 season.  

Flu Shots Can Help Blunt the Burden 

It is common knowledge that flu vaccines decrease the risk of getting infected or severely sick from an influenza infection. However, the problem we are seeing is a general, but measurable, decline in people’s acceptance of vaccines overall. This will influence and affect flu activity and severity now and through the winter.  

Medical Professionals Influence Flu Shots 

Studies have shown that medical professionals have the biggest influence on whether patients obtain influenza vaccines. Here are some facts to help you influence your patients.  

• Influenza is a serious respiratory disease. Each year in the United States, influenza kills thousands of people and causes hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations.
• Influenza vaccination is recommended for me and all other healthcare personnel to protect our staff and our facility’s patients from influenza, its complications, and death.
• If I contract influenza, I can shed the virus for 24 hours before any influenza symptoms appear.
  During the time I shed the virus, I can transmit influenza to patients and staff in this facility.
• If I become infected with influenza, even if my symptoms are mild or non-existent, I can spread influenza to others. Symptoms that are mild or non-existent in me can cause serious illness and death in others.
• I understand that the strains of virus that cause influenza infection change almost every year and, even if they don’t change, my immunity declines over time. This is why vaccination against influenza is recommended every year.
• I understand that it is impossible to get influenza from influenza vaccine.
• The consequences of my refusal to be vaccinated could have life-threatening consequences for my health and the health of everyone with whom I have contact, including my coworkers and all patients in this healthcare facility.

References: 

CDC. Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices – United States,.. Access links to current ACIP recommendations at www.cdc.gov/acip-recs/hcp/vaccine-specific/flu.html