During the past few weeks, you have heard from various leaders across the organization as to why they want you to get your flu shot. Now, it’s time to hear from your colleagues in other parts of the organization.
All six of the people below received their seasonal flu vaccine the first day it was offered at Texas Children’s. Listen to their stories to find out why they got the flu shot and why they think you should too.
Elizabeth Rincones, a patient care assistant with Texas Children’s Hospital, said she got the flu vaccine to protect herself and the children here at the hospital.
“We take care of kids every day, and if we are exposed to the flu, we could potentially expose them,” she said. “So, I think it’s very important to get the flu shot every year.”
Paige Simmons, a development associate with Texas Children’s, is pregnant with her first child and said she got the influenza vaccine to protect herself and her baby. Simmons urged other pregnant women to do the same.
“Definitely be vaccinated,” she said. “Little babies, they can’t handle it (the flu), so we need to watch out for them.”
Richard Lion is a fellow with Pediatric ICU Services and works with some of the sickest patients in the hospital. He said he got his flu shot because he didn’t want to put his patients at an increased risk of getting an infection that can be deadly to those with compromised immune systems.
“It’s well known that influenza is a terrible thing for them to experience,” Lion said. “Therefore, you can’t take any chances of putting them at risk.”
Clara Diaz, a patient care assistant who works with children who have pulmonary issues, said she gets the flu vaccine because she herself is at high risk of suffering complications from the infection.
“I already have asthma, so this lets me go,” Diaz said. “I can keep on working without stopping the work flow.”
Sarah Koohmaraie, a transplant coordinator, said she gets the flu shot every year to protect herself, her patients and her dad, who is a transplant recipient.
“I can’t think of anything more important,” she said of getting the vaccine. “The flu doesn’t discriminate, it gets everyone. So, the more people who get vaccines the better.”
Melvin Sergeant, a staff technician in Radiology, said he gets the flu shot because he knows firsthand what it’s like to have the infection.
“I’ve had the flu twice and I was hospitalized for it,” Sergeant said. “So, now I protect myself.”
Sergeant said other Texas Children’s employees should do the same.
“Please take the flu shot,” he said. “It will help you, plus it’s free.”
Employee Health is administering free seasonal influenza vaccinations to all Texas Children’s employees, Baylor College of Medicine employees working in Texas Children’s facilities, Texas Children’s medical staff and volunteers. Leaders from Texas Children’s Pediatrics, Texas Children’s Health Centers and The Center for Women and Children will inform their staff about seasonal flu vaccination details.
Click here to view vaccination schedules for both Main and West Campuses on Connect. Employee Health strongly encourages you to get your vaccine at one of the times listed on the schedule. If you are unable to do so, please schedule an appointment to get the flu vaccine at the Employee Health Clinic after Wednesday, October 1.
And, remember, getting an annual flu shot is part of Texas Children’s P3 incentive plan, which is an important component of the total rewards you receive at Texas Children’s Hospital. As part of P3, we are striving for at least 90 percent of our staff to get vaccinated by Monday, December 1. As of October 21, almost 65 percent of employees had gotten a flu shot.