The Spread of Flu Depends on You
Healthy People 2020
Healthy People 2020 is striving to change our culture’s mind-set into using preventative health care to prevent sickness, hospitalization, and death. The easiest and most effective way to stay healthy is by getting an annual flu vaccine to prevent acute respiratory infections–the 8th leading cause of death in the United States.
Every year, the flu is responsible for: >200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths
Healthy People’s 2020 national target goal is to vaccinate 70% of the population.
How is Wisconsin doing?
Cumulative percentage of Wisconsin residents who received the flu vaccine in 2018-2019 is only 37%
It’s Not Just About You
Communities with areas of vaccinated or under-vaccinated populations are at increased risk of influenza outbreaks. Your choice to get vaccinated helps protect those around you through “herd immunity.”
We need to do better! Our influenza vaccine coverage should be improved, especially among individuals employed in high-risk areas of contracting and spreading influenza.
Most common reason for getting vaccinated:
to protect oneself or one’s family
Top 2 beliefs for not getting the flu vaccine:
32% flu vaccine not necessary
21% flu vaccine not effective
Let’s Spread the Word
National Influenza Vaccination Week held first week in December to educate the public on the importance and effectiveness of influenza vaccinations.
*It’s not too late! Vaccination efforts should continue through the holiday season and beyond.
*Getting vaccinated late in the season is still beneficial and reduces the spread of the flu
*Even if you haven’t been vaccinated and already have gotten the flu, the vaccine is still beneficial since it protects you from 3-4 different flu viruses
How You can increase Vaccination Rates in your Workplace and Community
Host a flu vaccination at your workplace
Offer onsite vaccinations to employees at no or low cost. Contract local pharmacies or medical staff to administer flu shots to your employees if work place clinic unavailable.
Promote flu vaccination in your community
Educate employees, students, and families on where flu vaccinations are offered. Recommend health providers, pharmacies, or clinics that provide flu vaccinations. Include locations, dates/times, and cost.
Remember, full immunity may take up to two weeks after the vaccine so don’t delay. Even if you still catch the flu virus, the vaccine helps lessen the severity of illness to help you recover faster with fewer complications.
To find vaccinations and clinics nearest you, click on the following links and enter your zip code. It’s that easy!
https://www.vaccines.gov/getting/where
Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). National influenza week. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/resource-center/nivw/about.htm
De Perio, M., Wiegand, D., & Brueck, S. (2014). Influenza vaccination coverage among school employees: assessing knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. The Journal of School Health, 84(9), 586-592.
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (2019). Immunizations and infectious diseases. Retrieved from https://www.healthypeople/gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/immunization-and-infectious-diseases.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Vaccines.gov: your best shot at good health. Retrieved from http://www.vaccines.gov
Crystal Bushman~Health Informatics 