Have you had your flu vaccine yet? If not, it’s ok. It’s not quite that time yet, but it’s quickly approaching. Let’s talk about a scenario. Let’s say you walk into your doctor’s office for the flu vaccine, and you’re sitting in the waiting room with a bunch of sneezing, sniffling patients. You’re nervous about catching something before you get into see the doc and get your flu vaccine.
Then the nurse walks out and starts chatting with one of the sniffling patients. You see him sneeze into his hand, and then a moment later he pats the nurse on the shoulder as he walks out the door. Wondering if that nurse had her flu shot before she administers yours? Well, you’re not alone. Millions of patients are beginning to wonder the same question as they head out to get their flu vaccine. The fact of the matter is that not many nurses are following suit.
Across the country, federal health officials say, only about 42 percent of all health care workers get an annual flu shot. That is little better than the overall national average of 33 percent and far below the 65 to 70 percent rate for the elderly. (New York Times)
The New York State Health Department has adopted a new rule making it a requirement for all hospital, home and hospice employees to get a flu shot. The state of NY now joins Virginia Mason in Seattle and BJC HealthCare in St. Louis in making flu vaccines mandatory.
According to USA Today, the flu is a prominent reason why people miss work, and it could cost America up to $20 million in lost productivity this year. The flu vaccine shortage could hurt our economy even more this year if flu season proves to be a bad one, though most experts are expecting mild season.
Vaccinating healthy Americans against the flu, some studies indicate, is cost-effective, saving at least $13.66 per person. (USA Today)
I’m not going to lie, I have never gotten the flu vaccine, and I probably never will. As Jana Newton, from Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn puts it, “Why mess with something that isn’t broken?” I completely agree. However, flu vaccines are incredibly important to those at risk, like children and the elderly. That is why most companies who usually hold vaccine clinics for their employees are holding off this year to allow for the shortage to go those in most need.
