Thousands of Texas Children’s employees have armed themselves against the upcoming flu season by taking advantage of the free flu vaccines that are being offered by Employee Health. It’s not too late for you to do the same.
Free flu shots are still being offered to all Texas Children’s employees, Baylor College of Medicine employees working in Texas Children’s facilities, Texas Children’s medical staff and volunteers at various events across the organization and at the Employee Health Clinic.
Staff Nurse Sarah Vining got her flu shot the second day it was being offered on The Auxiliary Bridge and said she gets the annual vaccine to protect herself, her family and the patients she serves against a potentially fatal infection.
“It’s important for our families and our patients, as well as our own families at home, to stay healthy and make sure that we’re in our best condition to take care of our patients,” Vining said. “So, get your flu shot!”
What’s in the shot?
The shot that is being offered to employees this year protects against four of the main flu viruses that research suggests will be the most common during the upcoming season.
Those viruses are:
- Influenza A (H1N1)
- Influenza A (H3N2)
- Influenza B (Phuket)
- Influenza B (Brisbane)
It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against the flu. That’s why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people get vaccinated soon after the vaccine becomes available. However, as long as flu viruses are circulating in a community, it’s not too late to get vaccinated.
“Getting the flu shot is important,” said Staff Nurse Vincent Orion prior to getting his annual vaccine on The Auxiliary Bridge. “It’s protects everybody.”
How to get vaccinated
Click here to view the dates and locations for your vaccination. If you are unable to make one of these dates, please make an appointment at the Employee Health clinic, located on the fifth floor of the Abercrombie Building near the yellow elevators, after October 1. If you have questions, please call Employee Health at Ext. 4-2150. West Campus Employee Health is located on the campus’ second floor and can be reached at Ext. 7-1365.
Visitation restrictions
Based on the increasing incidence of respiratory illness, effective at 6 a.m. Thursday, October 15 Texas Children’s Hospital is instituting new visitation restrictions for the inpatient units and critical care areas. To read more about these restrictions please click here.