Archive for March 14th, 2010
Will My Job Require The Swine Flu Vaccine?
Most people are not wild about the idea of getting vaccines. In fact, many of us are downright scared of them, or just feel that too many are required. We’re told we may need the influenza vaccine every year, and this year we’re told that there’s a second influenza vaccine that we may need: the swine flu vaccine.
The reason for a second flu vaccine is fairly simple. The H1N1 influenza, often called the swine flu, is a particularly dangerous strain of flu that has been fairly widespread and has had many issues of complications. The flu reared its head in the spring of 2009, and by summer many experts were warning that we might be on the brink of a pandemic. Several schools were closed last spring when there were student outbreaks to prevent the spread.
By late in 2009, a vaccine was available, shortly after the regular influenza shot was available for this season. Though many experts agreed that the regular flu shot might provide some protection against the H1N1 vaccine, it was still recommended that those in the highest risk categories receive the H1N1 vaccine along with a regular flu shot. These high risk categories include young children, the elderly and anyone who has an already compromised immune system. In fact, when the vaccine was first available, it was only available to people in one of these categories. It became available to the general public shortly thereafter.
Many healthy people are questioning whether or not they need the vaccine because of the work they do. The answer to this question may be yes, and, in fact, some jobs may actually require it.
The jobs most likely to require their employees to get the H1N1 vaccine are those jobs in the healthcare industry. It only makes sense that if you’re a nurse or doctor who may be treating patients who have the illness that you be vaccinated against it for your own protection.
However, there may be other circumstances that make it important for you to have the vaccine. Any person who is in regular contact with the general public, such as retail workers, school teachers and people employed in doctors and dentists offices (even receptionists and bookkeepers) are advised to have the vaccine in case you’re exposed to the illness.
In addition to being vaccinated, all people should work hard to reduce their chances of contracting all communicable illnesses. Wash your hands regularly, cover your coughs and sneezes and keep often used surfaces disinfected. And, by all means, if you’re sick with the H1N1 flu or any other communicable disease; stay home until you’re well. These simple steps go a long way toward keeping all of us healthier during flu season.
This winter’s outbreak of H1N1 has been less than anticipated, so many people are calling the warnings we received earlier in the flu season an overreaction. But, it’s wise not to be too quick to judge the warnings harshly. After all, we might indeed have seen a pandemic had we not heeded the warnings and been serious about vaccines and other preventative measures.
P. Zerkle blogs about how to enroll in online family nurse practitioner programs.