If you are holding off on getting a flu shot because you got one last year and think it’s still protecting you, think again.
The flu vaccine is seasonal and is designed to protect against the main flu viruses that research suggests will cause the most illness during the upcoming flu season. Physician-in-Chief Dr. Mark W. Kline elaborates on why it’s important to get vaccinated against the flu each and every year.
“The flu is a virus that changes every year and the vaccine has to change with the virus,” Kline said. “We achieved a great protection rate last year, better than 90 percent here at Texas Children’s Hospital, but that doesn’t protect us this year. So, we are asking everyone to get a flu vaccine to protect themselves to protect their families and to protect their patients.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a lot of research goes into the composition of the seasonal flu vaccine. More than 100 national influenza centers in more than 100 countries conduct year-round surveillance for influenza. This involves receiving and testing thousands of influenza virus samples from patients with suspected flu illness. The laboratories send representative viruses to five World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centers for Reference and Research on Influenza.
In February of each year, WHO consults with experts from WHO Collaborating Centers, Essential Regulatory Laboratories, and other partners to review data generated by the worldwide network of influenza laboratories. Afterward, WHO makes recommendations for the composition of the seasonal influenza vaccine for the Northern Hemisphere.
The U.S. Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, which is a part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, considers the WHO recommendations and makes a final decision regarding the composition of seasonal flu vaccine for the United States.
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.
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 amplifying unity and working together to get at least 90 percent of our staff vaccinated by Monday, December 1.