The flu can place a heavy burden on the health and well-being of children and their families. That burden can be especially heavy for those whose immune systems already are compromised.
“In hematology and oncology, we have a large number of patients who are immunocompromised,” said Dr. David Poplack, director of the Texas Children’s Cancer Center. “That means they are at a much greater risk of suffering an infection.”
If that infection is the flu, it could mean an extended hospital stay, the worsening of chronic health problems or, in some situations, even death.
To best protect our immunocompromised patients from influenza, those patients, their families and the health care workers who treat them should get a flu vaccine.
In addition to people with compromised immune systems, people who have the following medical conditions also are at high risk of developing flu-related complications:
- Asthma
- Chronic lung disease
- Heat disease
- Blood disorders
- Endocrine disorders
- Kidney disorders
- Liver disorders
- Metabolic disorders
“Because we treat so many people with these types of conditions here at Texas Children’s,” Poplack said. “We must have all of our employees and anyone who comes in contact with these patients immunized with the flu vaccine.”
About 5,500 Texas Children’s employees already have gotten their flu vaccine. Now it’s your turn to be part of the solution and help yourself as well as our high risk patients.
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. 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 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 October13, almost 65 percent of employees had gotten a flu shot.