Taking steps to be flu-free this season

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Joint Commission have made the reduction of influenza transmission from health care professionals to patients a top priority and have implemented standards for the vaccination of health care staff.

To address this and help prevent the spread of influenza, MGH Occupational Health Services (OHS) has launched the 2007-2008 annual staff vaccination campaign with the theme, "Do it for them" — for patients, colleagues, family, friends and others. Sufficient quantities of the vaccine for all employees have been ordered, and all staff members, particularly caregivers, are encouraged to be vaccinated.

To be vaccinated, employees must bring an MGH or Partners ID badge and wear clothing that rolls easily up to the top of the arm. Latex-free vaccines are available, but employees needing these vaccinations should call OHS at (617) 726-2217 prior to attending the clinics. All those who receive a flu shot automatically will be entered into a raffle for the chance to win a football or helmet signed by a New England Patriots football player.

Health care workers are at a high risk of developing and spreading the flu due to the nature of their professional duties. Healthy adults can infect others as early as one day before symptoms develop and up to five days after becoming sick. Therefore, to effectively prevent flu infection, staff should always cover their mouth and nose when sneezing and coughing and keep their hands clean by regularly using an alcohol-based hand cleanser such as Cal Stat or washing with soap
and water for at least 20 seconds.

For those unable to attend the clinics, OHS will schedule appointments beginning Oct. 29. Walk-in service also will be offered every Thursday, beginning Nov. 1, from 10:30 am to 5 pm at 165 Charles River Plaza, Suite 404. There are several clinics scheduled for staff:

Main Campus
Location: Wang ACC Tea Leaves
& Coffee Beans Cafeteria
Dates: Oct. 22 to Oct. 26
Times: 7 am to 5 pm

Main Campus
Location: Main Corridor
next to Coffee Central
Dates: Oct. 27 and Oct. 28
Times: 7 am to 5 pm

MGH East/CNY/One Constitution Center
Location: CNY Building 149,
first floor lobby
Dates: Nov. 1 and Nov. 8
Times: 8:30 am to 3 pm on Nov. 1
8:30 am to 1 pm on Nov. 8

MGH West
Location: PARC Conference Room,
first floor, Room 190
Dates: Nov. 5
Time: 2 to 5 pm

MGH Somerville
Location: Training/Conference Room 211,
second floor
Date: Nov. 6
Time: 9 am to 11:30 am

MGH Medford/Registration and Referral Center (RRC)
Location: European Conference Room
Date: Nov. 6
Time: 1 to 3:30 pm

Schrafft's Center
Location: Assembly Rooms B & C, fifth floor
Date: Nov. 8
Time: 8:30 am to 2 pm