 Flu Shots
Coaster provides free flu shots all employees
(Coaster) Every year as summer fades into fall and the weather begins to cool, the flu bug begins to make its annual appearance. Late last year scientists finally confirmed what your mother knew all along - that flu spreads best in cold, dry weather. At a cost of nearly $10 billion dollars a year in the United States alone, the flu is one of the costliest and most preventable illnesses in the world.
Vaccinations are used to combat the flu and are successful in preventing influenza 70%-90% of the time in healthy persons younger than age 65 years. To help ensure the health and safety of employees, Coaster provides employees with the opportunity to get a flu shot at work at no cost to employees each year. In November, Coaster employees in seven locations received flu shots provided by the company. Employees walked in, filled out a medical form, received their shot, and were back to work within five minutes.
Flu shots are important for many reasons. In recent years, doctors have noticed a rise in staph infections -- often deadly -- among children who get the flu. This year the recommended age range for kids receiving flu shots has been extended to cover ages 6 months to 18 years old. New research has also discovered that pregnant women who get flu shots share that protection with their babies once they're born. A reported 83 children died from the flu in the 2007-2008 flu season.
Flu Facts:
• The flu is a contagious virus that is spread from one person to another through tiny droplets that are released into the air when a person infected with the flu coughs or sneezes. Sometimes, people can become infected by touching their nose or mouth after touching something infected by the flu virus.
• Most healthy adults can infect others one day before they begin experiencing symptoms and up to five days after they become sick. That means you can pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.
• A typical case of the flu can last up to one week.
• The flu can be a serious illness, particularly for mature populations aged 50 and older, and those with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and asthma. |
